'I have cried tears & spilled blood in trying to qualify for Rio'

'I have cried tears & spilled blood in trying to qualify for Rio' - reacting to Rory's decision

Darren O’Neill, Natalya Coyle and Paddy Barnes are amongst those who have spoken out.

RORY MCILROY HAS hit the headlines today after his decision to withdraw from this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro over fears surrounding the Zika virus.

And there’s been no shortage of reaction to the news…

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1. Natalya Coyle

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2. Des Cahill

Big news, but not really a big surprise - Rory McIlroy will NOT compete at the Rio Olympics - confirmed in a statement this morning.
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) June 22, 2016

Des Cahill / Twitter

3. Paddy Barnes

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4. George Hook

Withdrawing from the Olympics is an enormous statement by Rory McIlroy
— George Hook (@ghook) June 22, 2016

George Hook / Twitter

Huge pressure on the International Olympic Committee now - they should have made a decision on this a long time ago. Too late now.
— George Hook (@ghook) June 22, 2016

George Hook / Twitter

5. Darren O’Neill

I have cried tears & spilled blood in trying to qualify for Rio. This affirms my opinions. We are better w/o him!! https://t.co/kzjxKQfKFr
— Darren O'Neill OLY (@DarrenONeillOLY) June 22, 2016

Darren O'Neill / Twitter

6. Kenneth Egan

Olympic Games or Olympic medals mean SFA to a lad like him @DarrenONeil
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) June 22, 2016

Kenneth Egan / Twitter

7. Nathan Murphy

Fair play to Mcllroy, he's never been afraid to make the big decisions. He can't be blamed for it not being the pinnacle of his career.
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) June 22, 2016

Nathan Murphy / Twitter

8. Barry Glendenning

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9. Oliver Callan

BREAKING: Pampered mega-rich golfer out of Rio over virus affecting slum-dwelling pregnant women, wishes Team Irl plebs luck #RoryMcIlroy
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) June 22, 2016

Oliver Callan / Twitter

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'I have cried tears & spilled blood in trying to qualify for Rio' - reacting to Rory's decision

1. Natalya Coyle

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2. Des Cahill

3. Paddy Barnes

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4. George Hook

5. Darren O’Neill

6. Kenneth Egan

7. Nathan Murphy

8. Barry Glendenning

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9. Oliver Callan

The OCI are ‘extremely disappointed’ to be without ‘one of the big stars of Rio 2016′

‘I think it’s disappointing as an Irishman’ – Ireland team captain Paul McGinley