One Direction member and Mullingar native Niall Horan phoned Irish boxer John Joe Nevin to congratulate him on his Olympic success.

Earlier this week, Nevin won his bantamweight quarter-final, thus securing at least a bronze medal for Ireland. Nevin fights Cuban Lazaro Alvarez on Friday in the semi-finals. He joins other Irish boxer Katie Taylor in securing medals to bring home to Ireland.

Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) tweeted: "On the phone to @johnJoeNevin for the last hour! He's a sound lad! We grew up 100 yards away from each other, now he's goin for an olympic medal.” Must be something in the water in Mullingar! [sic]

In response, Irish Olympian John Joe Nevin (@johnJoeNevin) tweeted: “Just spen a hour and half on the phone to @NiallOfficial wat a lad gas lad sound out he is some buzz.” [sic]

Horan has been more than up-to-date with Olympic updates via his Twitter feed, which is followed by close to 5.6 fans. Along with John Joe Nevin, Horan is equally supportive of other Irish boxing great Katie Taylor.

On August 6, Horan tweeted “she [Taylor] is the best female boxer on the planet! doesn't know what its like to lose...heroic performance...cmon ireland” which was followed by “26-15 katie taylor you are a legend! irish boxing is on fire”