– Niall Kelly reports from Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro
IRELAND’S BOXING TEAM finally broke their silence on the Michael O’Reilly drugs scandal on Sunday, but head coach Zaur Antia’s brief comments on the controversy did little to clear up the confusion.
O’Reilly is understood to have lodged an official appeal against his failed test, but there are conflicting reports as to whether or not the Portlaoise middleweight will ask for his B sample to be tested.
Nor is it clear when his case will be heard.
Both the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and the Olympic Council of Ireland have said they will make no further comment until the legal process has run its course.
Meanwhile O’Reilly’s scheduled Olympic debut next Friday is fast approaching with no indication if the 23-year-old, who is currently under provisional suspension and not allowed to train, will be cleared to take part or sent home from Rio.
“I can’t say anything at the moment,” Antia said. “I don’t know anything about this.
“All I know is that Ireland always has zero tolerance for that issue. I am only focusing on looking after the rest (of the team).”
He reiterated: “Zero tolerance towards doping. As always, Ireland has a good resolution to fight against this.
We don’t know what happened yet but we will see what happens later.
Antia’s comments came after Ireland’s first man into the ring at these Games, Steven Donnelly, scored a convincing unanimous win to progress to the last 16 of the welterweight division.
“It’s just old news for us now,” the Ballymena boxer said when asked how the controversy had affected the team.
“We each have to concentrate on our own game. What happens, happens.
“That’s what we’re working for. We’re all concentrating on our own games and it doesn’t affect us at all really.
“We’re a strong team and we know how to deal with these situations.”
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You actually answered your own question there. The answer is support..through think and thin. Through ups and downs. That is what a real supporter does
Well done connacht.
Brilliant performance. Particularly second half into a gale. Pure passion. Would’ve been be very sad to see them not win a game in the pool.
Well done Connacht- a victory of heart over wallet! A determined and committed team that deserve a lot more success! Also great that 3 provinces are through- and as an Ulster man thanks for that ;D Eiré abú!
YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D
Three times as many Irish teams as other home nations i believe in Q F’s
Home nations? What home is that horse? Home of what exactly? Feck off to the BBC with your “home nations” boyo.
Thumbs down all you want, but anyone using the term “home nations” can only be a west brit.
From Wikipedia: Home Nations is a collective term with one of two meanings depending on the context. Politically, it means the nations of the constituent countries
of the United Kingdom
(England
, Northern Ireland
,Scotland
and Wales
). In sport, if a sport is governed by a council representing the island of Ireland
, such as the Irish Rugby Football Union
, the term can refer to the nations of the constituent countries on the island of Great Britain
(England, Scotland and Wales) and the collective Irish nation. This dual meaning has persisted in existence despite the partition of Ireland in 1922 as historically the term included all ofIreland
, which between 1800 and 1922 was wholly a part of the United Kingdom. The term home countries (not to be confused with the “home counties
“) is also sometimes used, and is synonymous.[1]
What a load of horse manure. That’s like saying “I don’t like black people but I’m not a racist”
they are on the verge here!
What do you care?
fair ple diobh. Dylan rodgers told me last week in trevor Brennans pub to put my house on a connacht victory… shoulda listened to him…
Hell or Connacht? Poor Quins got both.
Mike Mc Carthy and Muldoon would want to be getting a look in with performances like that
With the Ireland squad that is
in any other sport and with any other team, massive questions would be asked of a team going for a 15th loss in a row. A run only matched by Galway United in recent memory.It is truly bizarre that the fans continue to blindly support this team. It is not admirable, it is not brave and will only contribute to their continued role as whipping boys. Best of luck to them tonight as I really do think they deserve a win. They have performed well against way bigger budgest but at what stage do you, as a supporter, say enough is enough. Something has to change. Again, best of luck to them tonight.
What a silly comment
Mayo GAA anyone?!! Supporters suffering many disappointments on big days, yet still some of the best supporters in the country. Emmo you obviously don’t understand the concept of being a true supporter, you don’t just turn your back when the things get tough.
Wimmin
Absolute rubbish comment, fails to understand meaning of “Supporter”
The West’s awake – the West’s awake!
If Muldoon & Mc Carthy producing displays like that week in and week out, they would get a look. Consistency is the key.
I feel sorry for Connor O Shea. He deserved a quarter final place after the win in Toulouse.
I think losing to Toulouse at the Stoop coupled with a loss in Galway has handed Quins exactly what they deserve really. One Swallow does not a summer make.,.
Fair enough. But still would like to see oshea do well.
Great win, my nerves are shot after that finish, great to see a full house in Galway as well. Might not be the best team in the country but our supporters will rival anyone. Best of luck to Ulster, Leinster and Munster for the rest of the competition
Oppps! ( famous refrain of US presidential hopefuls) that one’s been done!
The West awake!