Paddy Barnes has had to pull out of his European Championship final in Minsk due to injury.

The Irish team captain had come through his semi-final, with a unanimous 30-27 win against Salman Alizada of Azerbaijan, but has since been advised not to fight due to a broken nose, which was suffered in an earlier bout.

Barnes broke the news on Twitter this morning:

Out of the final today! Couldn't bluff the doctors today again, had to get an X-ray and nose is broke! Broke it in my 1st fight! #raging

— Paddy Barnes(@paddyb_ireland) June 8, 2013

Barnes will still earn a silver medal but it comes as a bitter blow for both Barnes and the Irish team as it is the second unlucky withdrawal for the Irish team. Favourite Joe Ward was forced to quit in his opening bout after dislocating his knee and although Ireland still have a chance of three gold medals – with Micahel Conlon, John Joe Nevin and Jason Quigley all in their respective finals – it will leave the team wondering what might have been had injuries not derailed Barnes and Ward.