– Niall Kelly reports from Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro
IF THERE WAS any concern that the Michael O’Reilly drug scandal might be a distraction to Ireland’s boxers, Steven Donnelly put those fears to bed on Sunday morning.
The Ballymena welterweight outclassed Zohir Kedache of Algeria in the opening round of the men’s welterweight division (69kg), registering a unanimous points win as he booked his place in the last 16.
News of O’Reilly’s failed test has left a cloud over Ireland’s final preparations in Rio, and with the 23-year-old set to appeal his provisional suspension, the saga will now run into a second week.
But Donnelly insisted that it hasn’t been a distraction for the seven other members of Ireland’s boxing squad.
“No, not really, it’s just old news for us now,” he said after his win.
“We each have to concentrate on our own game. What happens, happens.
“That’s what we’re working for. We’re all concentrating on our own games and it doesn’t affect us at all really.
We’re a strong team and we know how to deal with these situations.
Judging by the ongoing Twitter charm offensive led by Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan, spirits seem to be as upbeat as ever as boxing begins.
“We’re all fine,” Donnelly continued. “We’re all cheering together, watching TV, on our phones, just messing around, what we usually do.
“Just concentrating maybe a couple of hours before a fight, that’s what we do to get focused.
Team morale’s fantastic. It’s great.
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