Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes today clinched an Olympic medal after reaching the semi-finals of the light flyweight division.

Barnes produced a superb performance to beat Poland’s Lukasz Maszczyk 10-5.

The victory means that Barnes is assured of at least a bronze.

Ironically Maszczyk defeated Barnes in the Belfast man's first international bout, but it was different today with an excellent second round from the Ulsteramn proving decisive.

Barnes was the toast of the Ireland team because he has guaranteed the Irish their first medal of the Games.

The last Northern Ireland boxer to win a medal in the Olympics was Wayne McCullough who collected a sliver in 1992.

Barnes becomes the second Northern Ireland competitor to win a medal in Beijing following cyclist Wendy Houvenaghel, who won a silver at the weekend.

Elsewhere Paul Goodison landed yet another gold for Great Britain in what has been an amazing Olympics for those flying the union flag.

Goodison made up for the disappointment of just missing out on an Olympic medal four years ago as he claimed gold in the Laser class at the Olympic sailing regatta.

The 30-year-old finished fourth in Athens but ensured that he would not suffer similar heartbreak in China with a solid performance in the nine preliminary races that guaranteed him at least a spot on the podium heading into the medal race.

It was Britain’s 13th gold medal with more expected to come. Goodison was delighted to put his Athens misery behind him.

"It just feels fantastic to come in with a medal this time and the fact that it's gold is just amazing," he said.

"I didn't start great in the first race but bounced straight back and then from there I was always within reaching distance and sailed a superb day yesterday to give myself the cushion I needed for today."

Bangor sailor Stephen Milne and his Irish team-mate Peter O'Leary have dropped to 14th place in the Star class after seven races, lying on 60 points.

The duo were 12th in race five on Monday, 13th in race six and seventh in race seven but can discard their 13th position, their worst so far.

Meanwhile cyclist Bradley Wiggins had to settle for just two Olympic golds from the Beijing Games after he and Madison partner Mark Cavendish failed to get a medal.

Wiggins, who had already won the team and individual pursuits, and four-time Tour de France winner Cavendish finished eighth with the gold going to Argentina.