The Nation Mourns – Paddy Barnes Is Out Of The Olympics After The Most Agonising Loss Imaginable

Paddy Barnes – one of Ireland's great hopes for a medal in Rio – is out of the Olympics.

He lost in an agonisingly close circumstances to Spain's Samuel Carmona Heredia, by a split decision that has somewhat appropriately split pundits.

It brings his Olympic campaign to a sadly premature end, and has dashed the hopes of Irish sports fans on Twitter.

Some agreed that Barnes had been well beaten

I though Barnes was well beaten there. He was hitting gloves, the other fella was landing

— Colm Parkinson (@Woolberto) August 8, 2016

Exhausting fight. Very tight but Paddy's wry expression at the final bell told the tale

— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) August 8, 2016

Some didn't...

Devastating for Paddy Barnes. He looked wrecked by the end, but I honestly thought he got that third round. #Rio2016

— Una Mullally (@UnaMullally) August 8, 2016

Though most pointed out how incredibly tight the bout – and the last round in particular – had been

Ah, that was ludicrously tight. Commiserations to @paddyb_ireland. It was a hell of a first round fight.

— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) August 8, 2016

And pretty much everyone was united in being absolutely devo for the massively likeable Irish flag-bearer

Absolutely DEVASTATED for @paddyb_ireland Genuinely thought he had it in the last round?? In SHOCK #RioOlympics2016 pic.twitter.com/XEFMFxUOuf

— Ciamhie Mc Digital (@CiamhieMc) August 8, 2016

Gutted for Paddy Barnes. Gutted. #Rio2016

— Ciara King (@iamCiaraKing) August 8, 2016

Gutted for Paddy Barnes

— Niall O'Connor (@NiallOCo) August 8, 2016

Including this salient (and sadly true) point...

And cue the morons knocking Paddy Barnes for "tweeting too much" or some shit...

— Paul Hosford (@PTHosford) August 8, 2016

Hard luck, Paddy...