Boxing duo Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan get a Titanic reception as the red carpet is rolled out

Belfast's most famous export was a fitting venue for the homecoming of the city’s Olympic bronze medallist boxing heroes.  Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan were given a Titanic reception at the building honouring the famous ship on their return home on Monday.  Proudly displaying their medals, the pair spent an hour meeting many of the fans who had cheered them on throughout the Games.  The red carpet was rolled out — literally — for the reception and both were only too happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs.  Among those waiting to greet Paddy and Michael were Northern Ireland Olympic boxing heroes of yesteryear.  They included John McNally, who took silver in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki; Freddie Gilroy, who won bronze in 1956, making world headlines at the height of the Cold War by knocking out a Russian; Jim McCourt, who took bronze in Tokyo in 1964; and Hugh Russell who won bronze in 1980 in Moscow.

Olympians Jim Montague, who competed in 1972, and David Larmour, who took part in 1976, were also present.  Conlan said he was overwhelmed by the support.  “I wasn’t aware of how much support there was until I saw the news clips of people watching the fights here and seeing all the kids’ faces,” he said.  “It’s great to see all the support back home. I really do appreciate it, it’s amazing.  “I think a lot of people were watching the boxing as they had watched the (Euro 2012) football and we were terrible and had nothing to cheer about then.  “So they had something to cheer about and it just lifted the spirits of everyone in Ireland.”  Paddy was proudly displaying a wristband in support of three-year-old Oscar Knox, who is currently battling cancer.  The two have been exchanging messages on twitter with Oscar sending a picture showing his support for Paddy while he was in London.  “The support we’ve had has been unreal,” said the 25-year-old.  “We are a wee bit out of the way here and I was surprised how many people turned up. It’s great.”  Asked if there would be a knees-up at his house on Monday night, he quipped: “There better not be, I’m tired!”