DAINA MOOREHOUSE was on the end of a shocking decision against home favourite Wassila Lkhadri.
Moorehouse was comfortably the stronger boxer in the first and third rounds.
The second was more evenly-contested but it was given 4-1 to her opponent.
At one stage, her opponent was so disoriented that she turned to the Irish corner instead of her own coaches for guidance.
But only one of the five judges awarded Moorehouse the fight, prompting an angry reaction from Team Ireland.
Head coach Zaur Antia said: “You watch fights? You know. It was 5-0 every round. But when I saw 3-2 after first round, I knew.”
IABA Performance Director Trish Heberle added: “We have no ability to complain about judging. What did you see today? You have been watching boxing a long, long time.
“I am nothing but proud of this athlete. She completely controlled that fight.
“She moved the boxer around, she found openings, made great punches: head punches, body punches, combinations. That’s what I saw. I am extremely proud of her.”
BAD LOOK
Moorehouse, 22, told RTE: “The first round they said it was 3-2 to me which is fair. I thought maybe it was a bit clearer.
“I thought I pushed a lot in the third, I thought that was clear, but I lost the round 4-1 so I don’t know what they’re judging.
“The plan was to be in control. I’ve fought her before so we knew what to expect. I just gave it my all.
“I still think I am a better boxer than her, I don’t know what the judges are looking at.”
But she was more measured in subsequent interviews.
She said: “I don’t know, I didn’t feel when I was in there that I got beaten but it’s different when you watch it back as well.
“I don’t think, I didn’t feel like when I was in there that I was losing. When you know you’re getting beaten, you’re getting beaten but I definitely didn’t feel like I was losing.
“I knew they were going to boo me, I knew there would have been screams for her but I just knew if I performed and took it out of the judges’ hands that I would have got the decision.
“I did perform but still didn’t take it out of the judges’ hands.
I definitely feel like I didn’t take any big shots, even the shots I did take were just stupid jabs or like a stupid little hook over the top.
“But I don’t know, I definitely thought I was landing the harder shots, I was the busier boxer.
“I pushed on in that third round thinking surely I have this. I just went for it but I think I lost the third round 4-1.”
NOT IMPRESSED
The boxing team had been unhappy with the refereeing of Aoife O’Rouke’s defeat on Wednesday night but Moorehouse said: “When Aoife lost, I didn’t think into it too much because I’m trying to get in here today and just do my best and win.
“It can be annoying at times but it’s not the first time either, I’ve been in situations like this but it is the first time performing at the Olympic Games, so you can’t complain.”
Moorehouse was beaten by the same fighter in last year’s European Games.
She said: “Yeah, it was 3-2. I won two of the three rounds of something like that. It would have been nice to finally beat her but maybe next time.
“But I think I performed 100 times better than I did in the European Games. From then to now I’m a completely different boxer.
“I mean, when my hand didn’t go up it felt the same, but that was it.
“Some judging is okay, some judging is not. Some referees are just, I think you definitely have to take a look at the judges and the refs.”
Despite her composed response, she admitted it was a crushing outcome. She said:
It is, but I am so proud of myself for even being here.
“I am 22 years of age and I am at the Olympic Games, it would have been a bonus to get a win and get a medal. But I am so happy to be here.”