Did we ever doubt them?
Irish Olympic heroes Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan are on track to add to their medal collections after securing their places at the Rio Games next summer.
The Belfast boxers were in action in the World Series of Boxing in Venezuela and both did enough to book their places to Brazil.
Barnes maintained his 100 per cent record in the competition with a split decision victory over local fighter Finol Rivas, with Barnes having his opponent on the mat in the first round en route to a 49-45, 49-45, 47-48 verdict.
https://twitter.com/Ciaran_Gally/status/589589931892338688
RIO BOUND! I'm 28 I'll do what I want! #Olympics #teamireland #boxing
— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) April 19, 2015
For Barnes, twice a bronze medallist at light flyweight, the win means he has the chance to win a remarkable third Olympic medal, while bantamweight Conlan will be hoping to improve upon his bronze in London.
Conlan, fighting for Italia Thunder, had a comfortable victory over Jose Diaz but was only certain of his place on the plane to Rio after a surprise defeat for Magomed Gurbanov of Azerbaijan.
Michael Conlan (Italia) vence a José Díaz (Vzla) #SerieMundialDeBoxeo pic.twitter.com/t6wYSBJNJS
— Juventud y Deporte (@juventudydep) April 19, 2015
That is an outrageous turn of events. Paddy Barnes 7-0, Michael Conlan 5-2 in WSB this season, are hitting the Copacabana next year. Unreal
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) April 19, 2015
And Conlan admitted he was considering pulling out of his bout until Gurbanov’s shock defeat.
Honestly can't believe what's happened tonight, was almost pulling out of fighting last night when the Russian won, I've now qualified for..
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) April 19, 2015
Rio over a year out along with my team mate and great friend @paddyb_ireland as I always say, what's meant to be, will be!! #riobound #gold
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) April 19, 2015
We came, we saw, we conquered!! #JobDone #Rio2016 #herewecome #gold @paddyb_ireland johnnyconlan https://t.co/SVbooLf8JG
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) April 19, 2015
Massive congrats to @paddyb_ireland & @mickconlan11 on qualifying for Rio 2016 , great stuff lads , 👊🍀
— Jason Quigley (@jay_quigley) April 19, 2015
