Chants of "Ole Ole Ole" rang out at Dublin airport today as boxer Katie Taylor returned home to a hero's welcome after winning her third world championship in Barbados at the weekend.
About 100 people gathered around the arrivals area to cheer on the boxer from Bray who will turn 24 next month.
Minister for Sport Mary Hanafin was at the airport to congratulate the winner, as was Olympic medallist Kenny Egan. Katie Taylor came through the doors just after 4pm to loud cheers from the waiting crowd.
"It's lovely. I can't believe the amount of people that turned out today," she said. "The reception I've got here is absolutely amazing. I'm just delighted really, delighted to be home."
She said she was looking forward to having a rest for a few weeks and catching up with her friends and family.
While winning is nothing new to the lightweight champion, she said these championships were the hardest yet, particularly with the bruising semi-final against US boxer Queen Underwood on Friday.
Ms Hanafin said it was a "fabulous win" for Katie Taylor, for Irish boxing and for women. "She's a tremendous sports woman and she's just so committed, so dedicated to her sport."
She said the young boxer was one of Ireland's best sports stars, male and female, "and the fact that she has for the third time a world championship puts her up in the league there with the very, very best".
