Ward set for return to action after Rio disappointment

Joe Ward is about to return to competitive action for the first time since competing at the Olympic Games in Rio last summer.

The Moate boxer has signed up to compete in the National Elite Men’s Championships which take place this month in Dublin’s National Stadium.

The opening bouts in the national championships are scheduled for this Friday, with the finals fixed for Friday, February 17.

Ward is a four-time national senior champion in the 81kg weight category.

He beat former Olympic silver medallist Kenny Egan in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 finals, and defeated Matthew Tinker in the 2014 final.

His involvement on the APB pro boxing series meant the talented 23-year-old has not competed in the national finals since 2014.

He is due to again compete at 81kg this year. The others in his division are: Anthony Brown (St Michaels Dublin), Michael Frayne (St Marys), Sean Allen (Arklow), Robert Burke (Glasnevin) and Sean Conroy (Ballina).

Ward, a two-time European senior champion and silver medalist at the 2015 world championships, suffered a controversial points defeat in his opening bout at last summer's Olympic Games in Rio.