Ireland must avoid elitism urge

Those of us who have had the privilege of meeting Paddy Barnes knew long before London 2012 that he was a bright, shimmering, ball of entertainment.

A double Olympic medallist and a European champion, Barnes has remained totally unaffected by his success.

For the last two years, he has taken part in a charity football match at the Sarsfield’s GAA club in Belfast. The match promotes the charity, Suicide Awareness.