The first Irish boxer to win an Olympic medal has died aged 89.
John McNally won a silver medal at bantamweight at the 1952 games in Helsinki.
But the West Belfast man was convinced that he should have won gold and was left devastated with the decision.
Of the bout, he said: "It was the last day of the Games and the host nation had not yet won a gold medal, so there was a lot of weight on the Finn’s shoulders to deliver. It came down to the three judges and the British judge gave it to me, while the American and the Austrian gave it to Hamalainen. I was devastated and in floods of tears because I was convinced that I had won the gold medal."
McNally went on to contest the European Championships in Warsaw the following year and came away with bronze.
Before turning pro, he represented Europe against the US in the Golden Gloves and was the victor over three American Golden Gloves champions. He was inducted into the Irish Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.
John’s unprecedented podium finish at Helsinki marked the beginning of an extraordinary 70 years of achievement for Irish boxers at Olympic games.
Boxing, as Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport, has claimed 18 of the country’s 35 medals. Nine of Ireland’s boxing medals have been won since 2008.
Tributes have been pouring in for McNally following his death.
His nephew Eamon McNally tweeted: "Sad news today to hear the passing of my great uncle John McNally Ireland's 1st Olympic Boxing Medalist the man that set the bar for Irish boxing. Was an honour to lift the same Ulster senior trophy as him many years kater. Irish sporting legend."
IABA’s Chief Executive, Fergal Carruth, commented: “John was an absolute gentleman and will be fondly remembered by many in the Irish boxing family.
"A standout, naturally gifted boxer, John paved the way for all of Irish boxing’s Olympic success, winning our first ever medal (silver) in 1952.
"IABA hall of fame inductee John McNally was the first of a very select group of 18 Irish Olympic boxing medallists when he was beaten by the narrowest of margins by the home country Finnish fighter in the gold medal contest in Helsinki.
"His success as a boxer will be forever remembered by all who love boxing in Ireland.”
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