Whatever colour medal Kellie Harrington brings home from the Paris Olympics, the people of North East Inner City Dublin could not be prouder of her.
The 34-year-old boxer is guaranteed to bring home at least a bronze medal after a decisive win over Columbia’s Angie Paola Valdes last night.
Ahead of the match, a large crowd of her neighbours gathered in Diamond Park to cheer on their local hero.
“She’s going to do very good,” one child confidently predicted to Newstalk reporter Sheila Naughton.
“I think she’s a very good boxer,” another said.
“I’m very happy she got to the Olympics and I think she’s going to win.”
Crowds ready to watch Harrington fight. Image: Newstalk.The match was screened live at Diamond Park by the North East Inner City Initiative and former Lord Mayor of Dublin Niall Ring said there was a “huge excitement” about the prospect of Harrington representing Ireland once again.
“There’s huge excitement, you can see all the kids and everyone all around, they’re all descending here on Diamond Park in the heart of the inner city,” Cllr Ring said.
“A couple of hundred yards from where Kellie was born and raised. So, everyone’s excited.
“She had a good fight there the other day, so we’ll see what happens.
“If she wins this, she’s a medal winner but she’s always our winner anyway.”
It’s Kellie’s world, we’re just living in it ??
Kellie has become the first Irish woman to win a medal at two Olympic Games ✍️ herself into the history books.
Kellie ?#TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/wKfCgodqnO
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 31, 2024
Harrington previously won gold at the London Olympics in 2012 and Cllr Ring is confident she can do it again.
“We’re here in Diamond Park but we’re not interested in diamonds,” he said.
“They might be a girl’s best friend but Kellie’s best friend is gold.”
But whatever colour medal she eventually brings home, locals feel she is worth her weight in gold to the community.
“This is the heart and soul of the North Inner City and that’s what Kellie is,” one local man said.
“You see the young kids, all singing, they’re all the next Kellie Harringtons - it’s amazing for the area, it’s amazing for the kids.”
? | BOXING
Kellie takes the WIN! She now moves into the semi-finals and guarantees herself at least a bronze medal at Paris 2024!!! ??
LFG Kellie ?#TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/8U1KyEOPvR
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 31, 2024
After witnessing Harrington’s victory, there were loud cheers of, “Kellie’s bring home gold!”
“I feel great, it’s so exciting,” one young girl said.
“Ireland’s going to bring back the gold this year.”
There were even a few tunes belted out in honour of the occasion.
“There’s only one Kellie Harrington!” one woman sang to the tune of Winter Wonderland.
“Walking along, singing a song, walking in a Kellie wonder land.”
Main image: A split of Harrington and the crowd watching her. Images by: Sportsfile and Newstalk.
