Michael Conlan victorious in Madison Square Garden

As the referee stepped in, a sea of Ireland jerseys erupted in unadulterated glee - the cherry on top of their Paddy's weekend.

The result was as inevitable as the choruses of 'Olé Olé' which preceded it, but Michael Conlan was made work for victory on his professional debut at a sold-out Theater in Madison Square Garden, writes Gavan Casey.

Beckoned to the ring by the one and only Michael Buffer to a raucous New York noise, Conlan admitted that pre-fight jitters played a role in a slightly off-colour opening two rounds against Denver's Tim Ibarra, who brought with him to the ring a modest record of 4-4.