‘I want to be like Katie’: In the shadow of Croke Park, Katie Taylor’s legacy is clear

At Corinthians Boxing Club in Dublin’s north inner city, photographs of Katie Taylor and a banner honouring Kellie Harrington stand out among the images covering the walls. For the girls training beneath them, the two champions are not distant sporting icons. They are examples of what a young boxer from Ireland can become.

Seven-year-old Alia Peel, nine-year-old Frankie Molloy and 11-year-old Maisie Farrell all dream of following Taylor into the sport’s highest ranks. “I hope I can keep winning and go professional like her one day,” Maisie said.

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I hope I can keep winning and go professional like her one day.

Corinthians was Harrington’s childhood club, and it serves boxers from the age of seven through to senior level. Coach and committee member Stephen Molloy said the club saw a major increase in female participation after Harrington won Olympic gold in 2024. Yet keeping young athletes in boxing can be difficult, with football and Gaelic games competing for their time.

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When Kellie won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics the place was buzzing.

Now Taylor’s world title bout at Croke Park, just over a kilometre from the club, has brought a fresh surge of interest. Molloy said the girls wanted to return to boxing and become involved again. He hopes the club can build on the legacy of both champions and retain talented fighters such as Maisie, who also plays football and Gaelic games.

Maisie remembers Taylor and Harrington visiting her school, an experience that made a future in boxing feel possible. Alia’s mother, Natasha Corcoran, said the success of Ireland’s two best-known female boxers had given Alia and her friends confidence. Maisie’s father, Niall Smyth, said the champions gave the girls figures to admire. For the young boxers at Corinthians, Taylor’s final fight has made school week more exciting and placed their own ambitions squarely in view.

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It’s wonderful seeing the girls playing such a big part now.