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Bitter disappointment for Ireland as Katie Taylor crashes out of Rio Olympics

The London gold medallist lost on split decision to Finland’s Mira Potkonen.

Mira Potkonen is declared the winner Potkonen is declared the winner. INPHO / Dan Sheridan INPHO / Dan Sheridan / Dan Sheridan

KATIE TAYLOR HAS been beaten in her first fight at the Rio Olympics.

The London gold medallist, coming into the bout on the back of two defeats, was edged out 35-year-old Mira Potkonen of Finland in the quarter-finals of the women’s lightweight division.

Katie Taylor with Mira Potkonen Taylor and Potkonen collide. INPHO / Dan Sheridan INPHO / Dan Sheridan / Dan Sheridan

The defending champion, 30, took the first round 10-9 9-10 10-9, but Potkonen came back in the second to claim the round on all three scorecards.

Bray native Taylor put in an excellent display in the third but still trailed according to two judges and went down by split decision.

Katie Taylor dejected after losing her fight A heartbroken Taylor is consoled by coach Zaur Antia. INPHO / Dan Sheridan INPHO / Dan Sheridan / Dan Sheridan

It’s yet another setback for the Irish boxers, who travelled to Brazil with a team of eight but now just Michael Conlan remains in the hunt for a medal.

He takes on Vladimir Nikitin of Russia in the quarter-finals of the men’s bantamweight tomorrow.

KT scorecard rio2016.com rio2016.com

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