The Nation Mourns – Paddy Barnes Is Out Of The Olympics After The Most Agonising Loss Imaginable

Paddy Barnes – one of Ireland’s great hopes for a medal in Rio – is out of the Olympics.

He lost in an agonisingly close circumstances to Spain’s Samuel Carmona Heredia, by a split decision that has somewhat appropriately split pundits.

It brings his Olympic campaign to a sadly premature end, and has dashed the hopes of Irish sports fans on Twitter.

Some agreed that Barnes had been well beaten

I though Barnes was well beaten there. He was hitting gloves, the other fella was landing

— Colm Parkinson (@Woolberto) August 8, 2016

Exhausting fight. Very tight but Paddy’s wry expression at the final bell told the tale

— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) August 8, 2016

Some didn’t…

Devastating for Paddy Barnes. He looked wrecked by the end, but I honestly thought he got that third round. #Rio2016

— Una Mullally (@UnaMullally) August 8, 2016

Though most pointed out how incredibly tight the bout – and the last round in particular – had been

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