More than 6,000 cheer Katie to victory

More than 6,000 boxing fans lined Bray seafront to see local girl Katie Taylor secure a bronze at the Olympics.

The atmosphere was electric as the champion fighter’s Olympic debut was shown on an open-air big screen.

The voice of Irish broadcaster Jimmy Magee boomed out across the promenade as Taylor secured a terrific win over her British opponent Natasha Jonas.

Mary Morris travelled from Dundulk, Co Louth, on the train to be part of the celebrations.

“I knew it would be a great atmosphere here and I knew she was going to win and I wanted to be part of that,” said the 58-year-old.

“It was absolutely brilliant.

“We came out on the Dart and it was fantastic. There were queues of people coming out here.”

Bray native Roisin Ni Dhubhda, 31, brought nephews Eoghan, Conall and Ruadhain Duddy out for the match.

“There was a great atmosphere, it was great to see Bray doing it right and getting behind out our local girl,” she said.

Men, women and children dressed in the colours of the tricolour chanted “Katie, Katie” in sync with fans in the ExCel Arena.

But the celebrations were already well under way in the boxing camp after John Joe Nevin secured the first Olympic bronze medal for Team Ireland last night.

As Nevin and Taylor fight for silver later in the week, Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlon will box for bronze.

Bray Mayor Mick Glynn revealed the open-air party will move to the main street for Taylor’s next match on Wednesday.

And, if she makes Thursday’s final, the country is invited to her housing estate in the Ballywaltrim area of the town.

“It’s a relief to get the first one out from under the belt,” said Mr Glynn.

“I was nervous so I don’t know show she was feeling.

“I’ve seen Katie fight in the local hotel say half a dozen times and she’s fought against the champion of Denmark, the champion of Spain, and I’ve never seen her take so many hits… so it’s a relief.”

Earlier up to 400 people crammed in to Dun Laoghaire’s National Yacht Club as member Annalise Murphy narrowly missed out on a bronze in the Laser racing when the down winds hindered her performance.

Martin McCarthy, honorary secretary, said the 22-year-old did her club, sport and country proud.

“Fourth is an incredible position in the most popular boat in the world,” he said.

“We would have all loved a medal, but it was incredibly competitive.

“She’s not finished yet and she’s a real incredible potential. She’s only at the start of her career.

“She’ll be coming home to a hero’s welcome. She is a hero to the young sailors and all the members here.”

Murphy followed in the footsteps of her mother Cathy MacAleavey, who represented Ireland at the 1988 Seoul Olympics before her daughter was born.

Family friend Chris Raymond said Murphy’s performance was inspirational.

“We’re devastated but at the same time she’s 22, it was her first Olympics and she came fourth so she was incredible,” said the 18-year-old.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster.

“To go from first, back down to ninth at one stage and end up at fourth.

“She’s really inspired the young members of the club to go better and try and achieve the success that she was.

“The kids have been ecstatic all week about it, it’s really changed their attitude.”