Sir Paddy has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
The Belfast boxer has been awarded a well-deserved MBE for his services to boxing and the community in Northern Ireland.
Barnes won gold for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last summer and previously won medals for Ireland at the London Olympics in 2012 and Beijing four years earlier.
@paddyb_ireland when I tell people I've beat you three times do I now have to say "I've beat Paddy Barnes MBE three times?"
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) December 30, 2014
‘I am pleased to have been recognised in the Queen’s honours list for 2015 for my contribution to the sport of boxing and for my contribution to work in this community,” Barnes said in a statement.
‘This recognition also acknowledges my success in the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2014 in India and Scotland respectively.
‘I am pleased to accept it on behalf of boxing, my community, coaches, friends and family, who have supported my career from the first frustrating youth defeats to medal success on Olympic and Commonwealth stages.
‘I am a proud Irish sportsman, a proud sportsman from Belfast, and I take great pride in representing everyone in Ireland, north and south, in whatever way I can. If my achievements in boxing can inspire others and people can be united through sport, then my efforts will have been worthwhile.
Congrats to my good friend @paddyb_ireland on receiving an MBE tonight. A proud Irishman and great boxer. Well done champ!
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) December 30, 2014
‘I look forward to the challenges that 2015 will offer as I make plans to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. I would like to thank all those who have supported me in any way over the years and, as always, I will do my utmost to honour the faith and belief that you have had, and continue to have in me. I wish everyone a happy and successful 2015.’
Barnes wasn’t the only big winner from Northern Ireland as Dame Mary Peters was awarded Order of the Companions of Honour for services to sport and the community.
Well done all.
