We live in a digital age where we have seen the continued rise of social media.

It offers a platform for people to air their views, gripes, and everyday thoughts, however for Irish boxers it offers them a place to have the craic and to take the piss.

Therefore we are recognising and rewarding these messers, and who else better to name the award in honour of than boxing’s original Twitter star – Paddy Barnes.

And the nominees are:

Katie Taylor
A late addition to the shortlist, but we had to include Taylor once she went viral with this response. Well able to handle the lads on the team, the decorated Bray star certainly cut Conlan down to size.

@mickconlan11 no thanks Mick, I have my own little haul here! #MerryChristmas pic.twitter.com/sj163w5NlZ

— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) December 23, 2015

Paddy Barnes
Where else could we start? The double Olympic bronze medalist has been up to his old tricks this year – teasing Scott Quigg over his ‘regular’ World title, tormenting his team-mates attempting to make weight, hounding the AIBA to send him a medal for finishing 1st in the WSB, and making sure World champion Mick Conlan keeps his feet on the ground.

Have to post this again because it’s the quickest sex change I’ve ever seen….. pic.twitter.com/X2zQlWR9Po

— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) July 26, 2015

Michael Conlan
If you’re going to be best friends with Barnes, you need to have a strong Twitter game and Mick Conlan always gives as good as he gets and then some more. On top of all the Barnes banter, Conlan turned presenter ahead of the World Championships and ‘hosted’ interviews via Periscope with his Irish team mates.

You must be on the drink again @paddyb_ireland this u in the morning hungover 😎😂 pic.twitter.com/ROjoe8JX4d

— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) May 3, 2015

Tyson Fury
The heavyweight World champ certainly has a unique social media presence. From trash-talking opponents to serenading fans, it’s never boring with the Gypsy King.

Shoutout to all the women who didn't get that man!! pic.twitter.com/5qy4Q2ktq1

— Gypsy King (@Tyson_Fury) November 5, 2015

Carl Frampton
The IBF super bantamweight champion is never afraid to call out any stupidity he sees on the web. Additionally the Belfast man more than occasionally brings up the fact that he won the Britain’s Coolest Man Award from ZOO Magazine, constantly slags his team-mate Conrad Cummings, sends a jab or two at Scott Quigg, as well as sharing all the trials and tribulations of having two young kids.

@scottquigg my big cousin Rab got a new job mate. If you’re looking any halibut for the chippy give me a shout pic.twitter.com/g9eoAkdaq5

— Carl Frampton (@RealCFrampton) November 5, 2015

Spike O’Sullivan
The Cork middleweight knows how to use Twitter. He used the platform brilliantly to successfully talk himself into a fight with Chris Eubank Jr. He’s also a great guy who takes time to respond to each and every interaction from his fans on the outlet. In addition to his Twitter shenanigans, Spike is good in front of the camera and we saw him become a YouTube sensation in November with Spike TV.

Tommy McCarthy
6 Foot 3 Inches Tall, 200 pounds, Ferocious puncher, Avid Eastenders fan. Talented cruiserweight McCarthy also picks out the funniest vines on the internet for our viewing pleasure as well as being one half of Irish boxing’s biggest bromance.

Sharon is an absolute eejit!! #EastEnders

— Tommy McCarthy (@Tommymac90) November 2, 2015

Sean McComb
The European Games bronze medal winner is an absolute nutjob. Indeed something must be in the water in the Titanic City as all four of the self-styled Belfast Boys are seriously good craic online. Watch out for his impression of Edgar the Bug from Men in Black.

@DarrenONeil wasn’t sure what he was in for at this stage! He thought it was just a selfie lol! #baku2015 pic.twitter.com/lGmjm6sDUr

— sean mc comb (@sugarseantl) June 7, 2015

Tyrone McKenna The other half of the bromance with Tommy McCarthy, McKenna is a creative fellow who regularly puts out hilarious short videos on his Instagram – it’s all in his deadpan delivery.

Happy valentines day people! #babyfree#valentines#wrapup

A video posted by almostfamous (@tyronemckenna) on Feb 14, 2015 at 5:45am PST

Joe Fitzpatrick
The youngster perhaps underestimated the power of social media during the Summer when he challenged his following and ended up weighing in in a Borat mankini. All in good jest, the hot prospect stuck to his word and hit the headlines.

True to my word, the mankeeny was on, First on tomorrow night so see you all there early #TeamDragon #Yeha pic.twitter.com/9KDEdsGdAl

— Joe Fitzpatrick (@fitzpatrickjoe) July 31, 2015

Sean Turner With a name like ‘Big Sexy,’ you just know that Sean Turner loves a joke. Even when he’s trash-talking the Dubliner has his tongue firmly in his cheek. Away from the computer screen, the heavyweight is known as one of the biggest jokers in the MGM Marbella camp

@JasonGavern and @BigRogie after the had a spar in Bolton.. pic.twitter.com/SrRPOuoae7

— Sean Turner (@BigSexyboxer) November 2, 2015