Irish boxer Barnes awarded MBE
Commonwealth boxing champion Paddy Barnes has been awarded an MBE for services to boxing and the community in Northern Ireland.
Belfast-born Barnes won gold in the Light Flyweight division at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in August, retaining the title he first won at the previous Games in Delhi in 2010.
The 27-year-old, who won bronze medals for Ireland at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, was captain of the Northern Ireland boxing team at the tournament.
He came in for criticism from some quarters because of comments made during the medal ceremony.
When Barnes was being presented ‘Danny Boy’ was played and the boxer could clearly be seen telling an official, “that’s not my anthem.”
He reiterated that later on Twitter, but insisted he was not interested in the politics behind the anthems and wanted to represent the entire population of the North.
So I said that's not my anthem, so who cares, it's not NI hasn't got one educate yourselves, football is GSTQ so make your minds up!
— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) August 2, 2014
I won that medal for everyone that supports me, Catholics and Protestants alike, I don't care what your religion is! Some clowns out there!
— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) August 2, 2014
Barnes said tonight: “I am a proud Irish sportsman, a proud sportsman from Belfast and I take great pride in representing everyone in Ireland, north and south, in whatever way I can.
“If my achievements in boxing can inspire others and people can be united through sport, then my efforts will have been worthwhile.”
“This recognition also acknowledges my success in the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2014 in India and Scotland respectively.
“I am pleased to accept it on behalf of boxing, my community, coaches, friends and family, who have supported my career from the first frustrating youth defeats to medal success on Olympic and Commonwealth stages.”
He said he looked forward to the challenges that next year will offer as he made plans to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
“I would like to thank all those who have supported me in any way over the years and, as always, I will do my utmost to honour the faith and belief that you have had, and continue to have in me.
“I wish everyone a happy and successful 2015,” said Barnes.
Another Belfast man was also included in the list. Jim Boyce, previously president if the IFA and currently a vice-president of FIFA, was awarded an OBE for services to football in Northern Ireland.
Dame Mary Elizabeth Peters, an athlete who won gold for Great Britain in the 1972 Olympics and represented Northern Ireland at every Commonwealth Games between 1958 and 1974, was awarded the DBE For services to sport and to the community in Northern Ireland.
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