Maurice Brosnan: Croke Park's memorable Irish goodbye for a hometown hero
Katie Taylor concluded her boxing career with a unanimous decision victory over Flora Pili at Croke Park. The event was a historic occasion, marking the first boxing match at the venue since 1972.
Why it matters
The event serves as a cultural milestone for Irish sports, celebrating the legacy of a prominent athlete in a historic setting.
Bridget Taylor cheers on her daughter Katie Taylor during the final round. Pic: INPHO/Gary Carr
It will grate on some when we say Croke Park has never witnessed scenes like this, but the reality still holds. To be in this storied ground, full to the rafters, with almost every individual there for one sportsperson was simply something to behold.
For her last act, Katie Taylor laid her black boxing gloves in the centre of the ring and walked away. Her manager Brian Peters, promoter Eddie Hearn, handler Tomas Rohan and trainer Ross Enamait followed with the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super-lightweight titles and the tricolour. All day long, it had been building to the moment when the big house would rise for Katie Taylor, now a three-time undisputed world champion. When that moment came, it was overwhelming.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in