Joe Ward’s Olympic dream is over after he was narrowly beaten by home fighter Bahran Muzaffer in Turkey this afternoon.

The reigning European light heavyweight champion eventually lost out to an 18-15 score line after trailing 5-4 in the first round and 12-11 after the bell to end the second sounded.

All the Irish entrants had hoped to avoid Turk’s in the draw and ring side reports suggest the fighter, who defeated Beijing silver medallist Kenny Egan in impressive fashion in the Irish Senior Final, was a little hard done by.

Teenage sensation, Ward was tipped by the likes of Barry McGuigan and a host of other fight experts not only to qualify for London 2012, but to medal in world biggest sporting event. However the Moat prospect will not now represent Ireland in the prestigious Summer games.