Brian Byrne competed in the men’s light-middleweight boxing at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, losing a split decision to Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Guzman in a bout of close-quarter exchanges characterised by willingness from both boxers to stand and trade. Both men landed solid body blows throughout, and a standing count of eight awarded to Guzman towards the end of the final round probably secured the verdict for the Puerto Rican.

The Irish boxing team’s preparation for Montreal was limited to short-term training camps at Caherdaniel in Kerry and Drogheda under coach Gerry Storey.