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Belfast boxer Michael Conlan loses Olympic semi-final Tributes for boxers Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes
(40 minutes later)
West Belfast man Michael Conlan will have to be content with a bronze medal after missing out on the final of the Olympics flyweight boxing. Stormont's sports minister has said there is "plenty to celebrate", despite Belfast boxers Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes missing out on Olympic finals.
St John Bosco club-man Conlan was beaten by Cuban Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana in Friday night's semi-final. Both men had to settle for bronze after losing their semi-final bouts.
The judges scored the contest 20-10 in favour of Ramierez Carranzana, with the Cuban fighter winning all three rounds. "Any feeling of disappointment is more than overshadowed with a real sense of pride," said Carál Ní Chuilín.
Conlan previously received a bye into the last 16 of the competition, before beating Ghana's Duke Micah 19-8. "In securing a bronze medal, Michael can take his place among the best boxers in the world, and continues the proud legacy of Irish boxers."
He then came through a tough bout with French fighter Nordine Oubaali, winning 22-18 to get to the semi-final. St John Bosco club-man Conlan was beaten by Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana in Friday night's flyweight semi-final, with the judges scoring the contest 20-10 in favour of the Cuban fighter.
Afterwards he said: "It's unreal. Words can't describe how I'm feeling now, it's amazing." Barnes suffered an agonising defeat by China's defending champion Zou Shiming in the light-flyweight semi-finals.
He also took time to point out another victory to fellow Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes. The judges scored the contest 15-15 after three rounds but Zou was given the verdict on countback.
The pair have been engaged in a Twitter war as they are pictured with some of the biggest names at the games. The two fighters have been engaged in a lighthearted Twitter spat after being pictured with some of the biggest names at the games.
After his quarter final victory Conlan said: "I just want to point out I got a picture with Serena Williams tonight and he (Barnes) didn't get none."After his quarter final victory Conlan said: "I just want to point out I got a picture with Serena Williams tonight and he (Barnes) didn't get none."
He was also pictured with former heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis, who he referred to on Twitter as "wee Lennox". Barnes had been pictured with Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Usain Bolt.He was also pictured with former heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis, who he referred to on Twitter as "wee Lennox". Barnes had been pictured with Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Usain Bolt.
Conlan trains at the St John Bosco club in west Belfast, described by one of its coaches as "not fit for purpose". Ms Ní Chuilín said: "It has been a mixed day for Irish boxers with John Joe Nevin securing a win and Paddy Barnes losing by the narrowest of margins. But, with Paddy also earning a bronze medal, there is still plenty to celebrate.
"We've got upwards of 100 kids coming down to this club on the Falls Road," Gerard McCafferty said. "Our boxers have once again shone on the global stage - proving to be ambassadors for their sport, their communities and themselves."
"Unfortunately we don't have facilities for them all - we've no running water, no toilets, no showers, no heating nothing like that, but the kids keep coming.
"Michael Conlan has had to train for the last two years in a club that's not fit for purpose.
"He's an example to them all of what can be achieved with a bit of hard work."