Paddy Barnes will return home today proudly showing off his bronze medal from the Olympics and with his sights on more success.

Barnes will no doubt ponder whether or not he should turn professional over the next 12 months, but in the meantime he can target the European Championships in November.

The exciting light-flyweight has been the most improved Irish fighter over the past year and having won bronze in Beijing he can be confident of hunting a medal at the Europeans in Liverpool.

Last night Ireland’s three medal heroes touched down in Dublin with the rest of the Irish squad.

Irish boxing is certainly now on a real high and while middleweight Darren Sutherland has decided he has boxed his last contest in an Irish best, Olympic silver medallist Ken Egan may join Belfast man Barnes in Liverpool.

Also expected to be heading to the European Championships are John Joe Nevin and John Joe Joyce.

Former World champion Wayne McCullough says he would be keen to work with Sutherland in the States.

McCullough said: "I would be happy to work with Darren, and he would get the best sparring partners around.

“I'm a protege of the late, great trainer Eddie Futch and I've worked with another great coach, Freddie Roach, so I know what I'm talking about.

"I'm aware that several American promoters are also anxious to talk to Darren but he must be cautious.

“I know what it is like out there, and how many sharks there are in the waters.

“They see dollar signs dancing before their eyes but they don't really care for the kids. "

Former world bantamweight champion McCullough is currently working with Scotland’s Alex Arthur as he prepares to defend his WBO super-featherweight title against England’s Nicky Cook on September 6.