Katie Taylor farewell: Irish fans hail boxing legend ahead of Croke Park swansong

Young fan Leanne meets Katie Taylor after the weight in. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

They came from far and wide to acclaim the High Queen of Ireland, and that was just the weigh-in — if Katie Taylor had any doubt about her eternal place in Irish hearts, a packed Trinity College Dublin showed her otherwise on Friday.

Ahead of her farewell battle in Croke Park on Saturday night, the crowds gathered outside the college to hail the woman who changed women’s sport forever, daring millions of girls around the world to dream that they too could one day hold Olympic gold, and earn glittering title belts, life-changing prize money, and hallowed sporting status in the sweet science that is professional boxing.