The Irish boxing team have been given a much needed morale boost by Steven Donnelly who produced a wonderful performance in his second Men's Welterweight bout at Rio 2016.
The Ballymena man praised coach Zaur Antia after the fight, for getting the tactics right - step in pick off some shots and back out again.
He also spoke of his pleasure in being able to lift spirits in the Irish camp after they suffered a few body blows this weekDonnelly was up on two of the judges cards after the first round but his Mongolian opponent Tuvshinbat Byamba stepped it up in round two and the Irishman was up on just one judge's card after that.
But in the last round he displayed some excellent footwork and movement as he picked off just enough shots to edge the bout; 29-28, 28-29, 30-27.
Donnelly is just one win away from a semi-final bout and a guaranteed medal now but his task does not get any easier.
Standing between him and an Olympic bronze, at least, is the World Champion Mohammed Rabii of Morocco whom he will fight this Saturday at 16:15 Irish time.
