Sport Ireland and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association confirmed on Monday that Michael O'Reilly has been hit with a four-year doping ban.
O'Reilly was provisionally suspended in the build-up to the Rio Olympics after he tested positive for methandienone.
Speaking on 2FM's Game On, former Olympic boxer Darren O'Neill said that the Portlaoise fighter had no excuse.
"We were always well warned," said O'Neill, an Olympian in 2012. "Anything you would need to take, shakes or whatever it may be, were provided to you."
O'Reilly claimed that he had unintentionally ingested the anabolic steroid while taking the supplement 'Falcon Labs Superdrive Testobooster Tech'. Though, he failed to prove to the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel that this was the case.
"We can argue whether it was intentional but you know not to take things," said O'Neill.
You've been informed enough. On all the forms and in all the advice you're given, you're always told it's your own reponsbility, even if you're given a supplement by a nutrionist. You can call the team doctor, there are apps that you can use.
There was no need and no excuse for it.
O'Reilly's ban was backdated to July 11, 2016, the date of the failed test. He will be eligible to box once against on July 11. 2020.
Picture credit: Sportsfile
