Irish golfer Rory McIlroy showed off his sense of humor this weekend with an excellent comeback to tweets from Irish boxers Michael Conlon and Paddy Barnes about his ex-girlfriend and his absence from the Olympic Games this year.
Well-known for mingling with as many other top-class Olympians as possible and making the most of this massive sporting event only enjoyed once every four years, Conlan and Barnes have already snapped selfies with the likes of tennis-star Serena Williams within the first few days of the Games.
The great @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/F0lnN80y3d
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016
It was a selfie with a certain tennis player, Caroline Wozniacki, however, that drew the most attention as Ireland’s flag-bearer Barnes asked the Northern Ireland golfer what he thought of himself and Wozniacki as a couple.
“I think we make a great couple, what ya think @McIlroy Rory,” the Belfast boxer tweeted.
Hey @CaroWozniacki I think we make a great couple, what ya think @McIlroyRory pic.twitter.com/Fk2nbMjlRh
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016
McIlroy and the Danish tennis star were engaged until a high-profile split in 2014 after their wedding invitations had been sent out. McIlroy is now engaged to PGA America employee, Erica Stoll.
Just the day before, Conlan also had a tweet for McIlroy, joined by US golfer Rickie Fowler and referencing the 27-year-old McIlroy’s noticeable absence from the Games.
Hey @McIlroyRory .. @RickieFowler said your a pussy for not turning up! #OhhhhhFightTalk #Olympics #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/A7lEMqWwuB
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) August 5, 2016
The Holywood, Co. Down native had faced criticism earlier this year when he announced his decision not to compete in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics because of the threat of the Zika virus and making it clear he felt the Olympics were not the pinnacle of a golfer’s career. This is the first time golf has been included as an Olympic sport since 1904.
Read more: Meet the Irish and Irish American athletes competing in the Summer Olympics
Despite some criticism from a few US-based sports news channels, who clearly didn’t understand that the lads were just having the craic, McIlroy took it all in his stride and had his own cheeky tweet to answer with.
.@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
Brilliant �� good to see you got a sense of humour Rory, we're all friends here ������ #TeamZika ���� https://t.co/85Vz8YlrkU
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) August 7, 2016
Hoping to win his third medal in his third successive Olympics, Barnes unfortunately suffered a shock defeat this morning in the last 16 of his competition. Despite being seeded in fourth place going into the match-up, the 29-year old lost out to his 20-year old competitor, Spain’s Samuel Carmona.
Although the Chinese judge gave the fight to Barnes 29-28, the Uzbek and Canadian judges gave it 28-29 to his opponent.
"I really truly believed I would come away with the gold medal and for it to be taken away at the first hurdle is heartbreaking," he said following the fight.
His friend Conlan was quick to support his fellow boxer and remind Irish boxing and sports fans just how much Barnes has achieved in his career.
Anyway, Paddy Barnes is a Legend of Irish sport and always will be! Done a lot more for Ireland than most ever will! #UpBarnes #Legend
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) August 8, 2016
Following on from the massive love for the Irish fans at this year's Euros, no matter what happens, we’re sure Barnes and Conlan will continue bringing the craic to Rio this summer.
For 5000 RT's I'll grab the flag off @paddyb_ireland during the Parade tonight!!!! #SeriousFace ����������
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) August 5, 2016
Comments