Women's European Championship:As a world and European boxing champion you wouldn't expect much to faze Katie Taylor. But journalists make her nervous.
"No, not really," she offers when asked if she has grown accustomed to the attention. "I'll never get used to it. I get more nervous doing these interviews than I do getting into the ring."
Having retained her European lightweight amateur title last September, Taylor's progress continued two months later when outclassing Argentina's Annabella Farias to win gold at the World Championships in India.
The European Championships are next up in October. In the meantime she is preoccupied with her other passion. Soccer.
Tonight she is one of 18 Republic of Ireland senior players looking to overturn Italy at Belfield and hand Ireland their second victory in a 2009 European Championship qualifying campaign which began with a 2-1 home win over Hungary last month. With one eye on the finals in Finland, confidence is high.
"It's a great change coming into the football squad," Taylor, with 10 senior caps, concedes. "With boxing you're on your own all the time and that's definitely more intense. I love coming in here with the girls, mixing and being around peers. I love the two sports but there's no way I could ever pick one over the other. I wouldn't give either up."
A striker, Taylor scored a stunning long-range goal to set Ireland on the way to that win over the Hungarians. She'll be a key component again tonight against one of Europe's top sides but is just thankful for the opportunity to play. Boxing dictates her schedule to such an extent she managed just one club game with Peamount all season.
"Noel King (the team's manager) has been great," she says. "I haven't played much club football and he has still called me into the squad. He knows I'm not that sharp coming in, so I need to improve my touch. But he's kept me in the team. I don't think many managers would have done that."
King, who goes into tonight's tough game injury free, tries not overplay Taylor's presence in the squad. He has, after all, 17 other talented players in his ranks. Still, he praises the composure of a player slowly coming to terms with her status.
"She has a good manner and tremendous attitude," he says. "From Monday morning she's part of the football team and leaves her gloves behind.
"She's not a prima donna, she's here as a footballer and team player. Any time she's played she's performed. She's a special talent."
Ireland are up against it tonight, tackling an Italian side ranked 13th in the world and sore after a 2-0 home defeat to Sweden last time out.
But King believes his team can achieve overall qualification from a group that also includes Romania.
Thirty nations are attempting to qualify for 11 slots at the finals alongside hosts Finland. While only the winner of each of the six groups is guaranteed to qualify, the new format gives teams that finish second and third a chance via the play-offs.
The six runners-up and four third-placed sides with the best records against the nations finishing first, second and fourth in their groups will be drawn into five two-legged play-offs for the remaining spots in the finals.
King has set a target of 13 points for his side this campaign. "It may be unrealistic, but I'd be hugely shocked if that didn't guarantee us a minimum of third spot and a chance of a play-off. I think we're better prepared now than at any time."
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD:Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Niamh Fahy (Salthill Devon), Susan Byrne (St Johns University, NY), Alisha Moran (Ny Athletic Club), Sharon Boyle (Raheny United), Marie Curtin (Hofstra University), Diane Caldwell (Hofstra University), Elaine O'Connor (Long Island Fury), Ciara Grant (Arsenal), Sonya Hughes (Franklin Pierce), Stefanie Curtis (Bristol Academy), Áine Ó Gorman (Stella Maris), Noelle Murray (Raheny United), Katie Taylor (Peamount United), Laura Hislop (Predators), Olivia O'Toole (Raheny United), Michele O'Brien (Long Island Lady Riders), Katriona Connolly (Knock FC).
