Irish amateur boxing may be an omnishambles, but those who have left it behind continue to go from strength to strength.
Michael Conlan is undefeated, Katie Taylor is heading Stateside after winning her first professional title at Wembley, and now Pady Barnes is a European champion.
Barnes earned a shot at the vacant WBO European flyweight belt in Belfast last night, in just the third fight of his professional career.
He beat Silvio Olteanu by majority decision, having gone the distance over ten rounds.
It's a win that offers encouragement beyond just the belt: the ten rounds will stand to Barnes, he said after the fight that it was the first time he went ten rounds in his life.
Here's a portion of the reaction.
Mick Conlan led the support...
Congrats @paddyb_ireland gritted it out against a former world title challenger, will stand you in great stead for whatever's next! Get in😆
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) June 17, 2017
...although Barnes may not have seen it.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Payback does taste good, maybe nicer than that tin of coke 😂😂😂😂 @paddyb_ireland @MissBurnsx #Blocked 😁😁 pic.twitter.com/dHSAl6xWL6
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) June 15, 2017
There were plenty of other well-wishers, however:
A European Champion in just three professional fights. Brilliant stuff @paddyb_ireland 👊🥇 #BarnesOlteanu pic.twitter.com/L9LL5o0Jrs
— Paulo Ross (@paulorossradio) June 17, 2017
Congratulations @paddyb_ireland you had to show some grit tonight #continuedsuccess
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) June 17, 2017
Very happy for Paddy Barnes. Top fella.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) June 18, 2017
"I'm fucking knackered" New Euro champ @paddyb_ireland #BattleOfBelfast pic.twitter.com/XRJrgbvoPa
— Paul D Gibson (@PaulieDGibson) June 17, 2017
One thing is for sure - Paddy Barnes has a chin on him. Took some shots, gritted it out, will take a lesson from that fight
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) June 17, 2017
Couldn't be happier for this lad was class tonight. Top boy and the new WBO European champion of the world @paddyb_ireland pic.twitter.com/3TMFyTvDSl
— Ian ritchie (@Ianrocky83) June 18, 2017
Well done paddy Barnes #AndTheNew got alot to learn though
— kevin 💙 (@kevin_hurst) June 18, 2017
