LEADING FIGURES IN Irish boxing are beginning to react to the news that Irish boxer Michael O’Reilly has reportedly failed a drug test ahead of the start of the Olympic Games.

Although the boxer has yet to be officially named, it is understood to be the middleweight boxer from Portlaoise.

RTÉ boxing analyst Mick Dowling spoke on Six One this evening in which he expressed his shock at today’s developments:

“I’ve always said about boxing, we have a team, a very, very good team, but really, when you get inside the ropes, any of the fighters will tell you, it’s an individual sport,” Dowling said.

I have to say for me, hearing the news about an hour ago, it was a shock, it was hugely disappointing news to hear as well, and I think Michael O’Reilly should be well aware, as all the boxers are, and all of the athletes, that you are responsible for whatever you put into your mouth, and that you consume.

“It’s very, very disappointing that this has been a positive test on a day that we should all be excited about the draw. We should be excited by who is going to go through.

“We have a fantastic team out there and we get hit with this.”

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Irish Olympic boxer Michael O’Reilly has failed a doping test

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