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Jae C. Hong

Michael Conlan suggests Ireland are being punished for former judge's Guardian revelations

The Belfast native admitted to being nervous about dubious judging ahead of his fights.

MICHAEL CONLAN HAS suggested former judge Seamus Kelly’s revelations to The Guardian could have been partially responsible for the dubious outcome of his fight.

Just prior to the Olympic Games, Irishman Kelly told the newspaper that he had been asked to cheat during his time as a judge, and Conlan and his camp feel this controversy may have had a significant influence on Ireland’s misfortune in Rio.

“An ex-referee (who is Irish), who was part of AIBA, had kind of outed them,” said Conlan, on Newstalk’s Off the Ball.

“We got the feeling that they were going to come down hard on us for him coming out and having his say.”

Conlan’s father, John, had previously indicated that Ireland had “embarrassed” AIBA. Most people interpreted it as a reference to Michael O’Reilly’s failed drugs test, when in fact Conlan Jr confirmed that it was an allusion to the Kelly controversy.

“(Kelly) came out and told the truth — I think they were looking at us then and saying we’ll get you back,” Conlan added

“That didn’t help and I don’t think the Michael O’Reilly situation helped us either.”

Conlan admitted to being nervous about dubious judging ahead of his fights, particularly when Russia’s Evgeny Tishchenko beat Kazakhstan’s Vassiliy Levit in similarly contentious circumstances in the Men’s heavy 91 kg final in Rio.

“That was part of my nervous energy, I was more worried about the judging than my opponent,” Conlan said.

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Listen to the full interview here>

‘Most athletes earn very little money. The least you can expect is integrity and honesty>

Two boxing judges in controversial Michael Conlan decision still in Rio>

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19 Comments
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    Mute dominick mitchell
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    Aug 18th 2016, 3:47 PM

    Your bang on the money there. Keep up the honesty micheal. Your a breath of fresh air too listen too.

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    Mute Alan Wiley
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    Aug 18th 2016, 3:46 PM

    Whistleblowers always get a rough ride.

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    Mute Hoofedup Bravo
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    Aug 18th 2016, 3:45 PM

    Sure, what will they do? Continue to snort cocaine of hookers bodies…. The Olympics is the devils beast now….

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    Mute Boganity
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    Aug 18th 2016, 4:02 PM

    Sure is…my grandmother could win gold if we pumped her up with drugs and bribed the officials

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    Mute Patrick Reilly
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    Aug 18th 2016, 4:40 PM

    In all fairness lads its a joke ran from the top just like fifa

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    Mute gus lennon
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    Aug 18th 2016, 4:29 PM

    I heard what Kelly had to say on Today FM yesterday and it’s fairly explosive stuff. However the Americans got a couple of bad decisions and there were others. If Conlon is right then why did the judges give these other countries little respect either. The whole thing is a shambles and the only thing we do know is that Michael Conlon was treated with contempt.

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    Mute Angry Gaming
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    Aug 18th 2016, 4:34 PM

    Yanks do not like cheats in sports, didn’t a gold medalist ended up getting found out by the FBI and they jailed her for 6 months.

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    Mute Sean O Mara
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    Aug 18th 2016, 5:03 PM

    Its Marion Jones you are thinking of, she was jailed for lying to Federal Investigators about doping not for actually doping

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    Mute Sean O'Reilly
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    Aug 19th 2016, 2:19 AM

    Really is great to see the USA and GB flourishing with Russian athletes being excluded from this Rio Olympics. Please point out the whistleblower here cos this smells of double standards, well done WORLD POLICE PLC.

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    Mute Peter Kelly
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    Aug 18th 2016, 3:51 PM

    The powers to be are nothing better. They are destroying the best show on earth.

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    Mute Lorna Holderied
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    Aug 18th 2016, 4:26 PM

    I dont think the boxer sent home from doping helped either.

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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Aug 18th 2016, 3:49 PM

    That’s a conspiracy theory too far, your man is overplaying the victim card at this stage

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    Mute ray.farrelly
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    Aug 18th 2016, 3:54 PM

    That’s a comment to far, the lad was robbed plain and simple.

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    Mute Boganity
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    Aug 18th 2016, 4:03 PM

    Another fool who thinks the olympics is about sport ?

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    Mute Pádraig Ó Dúnadhaigh
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    Aug 18th 2016, 4:17 PM

    Says you lounging on your sofa!!!

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    Mute Paul Hughes
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    Aug 18th 2016, 4:29 PM

    What’s your take on the whole thing Stephen? Do you think it was a fair decision? Or were you watching a different Michael conlon fighting a different match?

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    Mute Patrick Fitzgerald
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    Aug 18th 2016, 6:06 PM

    @stephen… aw is it annoying for you that he hasnt just buried his head and said nothing?? sorry about that mate.. thats inconvenient i imaging. back in the real world anyone see the colmbian avila v the russian yesterday. i was in the stadium and am no expert but i thought the colombian lad schooled him before losing unanimously!

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    Mute mryan gryan
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    Aug 18th 2016, 11:08 PM

    Putin has had Pat Hickey in his pocket for a long time. Anybody who thinks he is completely innocent is living in cloud cuckoo land

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    Mute AlanH -AFC
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    Aug 18th 2016, 10:58 PM

    Why is the journal constantly putting up the same biased reporting in Pat Hickeys wrongful and unlawful arrest, and why is it glossing over the fact that Shane Ross left him high and dry by running from Rio after making damming comments to Rio Officials whilst trying to be the big man.

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    Mute Gerard Henry
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    Aug 18th 2016, 9:29 PM

    I listened to mat cooper yesterday and boxing is as corrupt in the Olympics as it can get

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