WITH the Olympics well underway, the entertainment is in full swing, but one Team Ireland member is threatening to steal the show away from the television cameras.
Double bronze medallist Paddy Barnes is hoping for third time lucky in his quest for a gold medal, and on the evidence of his Twitter feed the Belfast boxer is in relaxed spirits.
Posting selfies with some of world’s biggest sports stars, the light flyweight couldn’t resist poking fun at Rory McIlroy when stumbling across tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki, the golfer’s ex-girlfriend.
Hey @CaroWozniacki I think we make a great couple, what ya think @McIlroyRory pic.twitter.com/Fk2nbMjlRh
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016
I'd say @McIlroyRory thinks I hate him,I don't haha I'm just bored and having the craic mate!
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016
.@paddyb_ireland @mickconlan11 good luck lads! If your boxing is as good as your tweeting it should be 2 guaranteed golds!! ?????
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) August 7, 2016
Haha brilliant! Thanks ?? https://t.co/XAxrKSN9dE
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 7, 2016
His Belfast wit is evident in almost every Tweet he sends, from taking the mick out of race walkers, to his patriot preparations for Team Ireland meetings.
When your late for work but don't wanna run..... #olympicvillage pic.twitter.com/7yAmXSy5wC
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 4, 2016
Time for team meeting pic.twitter.com/gLu6piWX5A
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016
Good humoured sarcasm is also a theme, whether it's pretending not to know who his fellow flag bearers were at the opening ceremony to claiming golf superstar Rickie Fowler asked him for the selfie.
Go ahead @RickieFowler pic.twitter.com/EXkzkOXfN7
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016
Who are all these other flag bearers? @SkySportsNewsHQ #rio2016 pic.twitter.com/Y4CLhgtXdV
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 3, 2016
Bumped into your man who rides a bike last night #olympicvillage pic.twitter.com/Z5g2EW6yjg
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 5, 2016
Barnes fights on Monday at 3pm and is considered one of Ireland’s best hopes of going on to win a gold medal.