Aidan Walsh has withdrawn from the semi-final of the men's welterweight competition at the Olympic Games due to the ankle injury apparently sustained in celebrating victory in his previous bout.

The Belfast boxer was due to fight in Sunday’s semi-final against Pat McCormack of Great Britain but due to an ankle injury, the decision has been made in conjunction with his medical team.

Walsh had initially hoped to compete and waited to give himself every opportunity to do so. However subsequent scans and medical reviews have now ruled out this possibility.

He will, however, take home the bronze medal which he won in the quarter-final bout.

Team Ireland's boxing performance director Bernard Dunne told RTÉ Sport: "Aidan has just been unfortunate and picked up an injury in his quarter-final bout.

"I'm not 100% sure when it happened.

"As Aidan came out of the ring, he said he felt a bit sore in his ankle. From there we started to monitor it and give him opportunity that we possibly could to compete.

"We gave him till the last second today before that final decision was made.

"He was hopeful. We were hopeful. He wanted to get into the ring but unfortunately his body just wouldn't let him.

"It was difficult (the final decision). Aidan has trained all his life to become an Olympian. But then to have a chance to win a gold medal? That's every athlete's desire.

"We'd be hopeful we can get him onto a podium come Thursday."

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Dunne hailed Walsh's performance at the games and said he had "joined an elite club" in becoming Ireland's 16th boxing Olympic medallist.

"It is an incredible achievement by Aidan. We're proud of it and he's proud of it.

"It's a little bit disappointing for him, for us, his family and his club at home, but we've got to remember what he has achieved.

"This year alone he has been a European medallist and an Olympic medallist. He has joined an elite club of only 16 (Irish) boxers to have achieved Olympic success.

"He has put in performances here that are world-class and he deserves to be an Olympic medallist.

"He has represented his country immensely."

Walsh's withdrawal and Kurt Walker's narrow quarter-final defeat means Kellie Harrington is the last Irish boxer standing in Tokyo.

The former lightweight world champion fights Imane Khelif of Algeria for a guaranteed bronze on Tuesday.

"The overall team performance has been exceptional," said Dunne.

"We came in here under the radar. We possibly weren't given too much credit for what the guys could achieve.

"All seven have been a pleasure to work with and have given everything they have inside that ring.

"It's a young enough team that could go again in Paris."