One of Ireland’s greatest medal hopes has been defeated.
Ireland boxing captain and flag-bearer was defeated in the last-16 of the 49kg boxing tournament at the Rio 2016 by Spain’s Samuel Carmona Heredia.
The great and good of the fight game were proud of the Belfast boxer’s brave performance in a stand-up war.
Robot Wars presenter Dara Ó Briain was fired up.
Ah, that was ludicrously tight. Commiserations to @paddyb_ireland. It was a hell of a first round fight.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) August 8, 2016
So was an Irish world champion and former Olympian.
Thought he'd done enough. Fair play to the Spaniard but making the weight hurt Paddy. Too long without a competitive fight. Sickened.
— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) August 8, 2016
A well-respected coach in a different fight game was in awe of the battle he witnessed.
what a WAR from @paddyb_ireland obviously not the result he wanted but needs to hls head up high making it this far! how many go to 3 games?
— Coach JK (@John_Kavanagh) August 8, 2016
Others thought Barnes looked devoid of energy after cutting the weight.
https://twitter.com/NialOFarrell/status/762667612878860288
Didn't seem like the Paddy Barnes of old, lacked his usual sharpness and work rate…2nd Round took it out of him physically.
— P (@l_olzzz23) August 8, 2016
Just interviewed a devastated Paddy Barnes. Says he struggled with weight. Had absolutely no energy. Confirms he won't go again in 4 years.
— Conor McNamara (@ConorMcNamaraIE) August 8, 2016
However most people reacted to news of Barnes’ defeat by recalling his Twitter goading of Rory McIlroy since arriving at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro.
No smart comments now to @paddyb_ireland you hear @McIlroyRory #RioOlympics2016
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) August 8, 2016
Paddy Barnes: Talk s***, get banged out.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) August 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/willsy2929/status/762666715754983424
Plenty of time for @paddyb_ireland to tweet now – in fact he can go to Ireland & chat face to face with @mcilroyrory … #oops
— Adrian (@ach59) August 8, 2016
Was @McIlroyRory one of the judges judging that Paddy Barnes fight? #Olympics2016
— Conor Watson (@Conor_Watson2) August 8, 2016
@McIlroyRory @paddyb_ireland not so smart now paddy
— john oneill (@nailor9) August 8, 2016
So @McIlroyRory what you think of that result then? @paddyb_ireland lol
— Seán Patrick (@seanpatrick0392) August 8, 2016
@McIlroyRory anything to say to @paddyb_ireland after his @CaroWozniacki pic? Seems he's as much chance with her as he does a gold medal 🙈👊🏻
— Gary Scott (@gscott92) August 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/kevinhunt2/status/762667691496931328
However, lots of sports fans were genuinely shocked and devastated at the defeat of a boxer who won bronze medals in Beijing and London.
Absolutely DEVASTATED for @paddyb_ireland Genuinely thought he had it in the last round?? In SHOCK #RioOlympics2016 pic.twitter.com/XEFMFxUOuf
— Ciamhie Mc Digital (@CiamhieMc) August 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/averageESCpage/status/762667855439622144
https://twitter.com/jpconnelly74/status/762672724703674368
Aidan O’Shea on those diving accusations and Paul Galvin’s solution for sledging on the GAA Hour. Subscribe here on iTunes.
