Homecoming Taylor flies the flag as Hickey denies rift

Olympic gold medal boxer Katie Taylor flew a Tricolour from the front of a plane as Team Ireland arrived home from London 2012.

Amid fallout and disappointment over a delayed homecoming celebration, the champ heralded the athletes’ return in front of dozens of close family and friends and dignitaries.

Pat Hickey, the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), welcomed all 66 Irish Olympians home at a press conference at Dublin Airport and commended the organisers of London 2012 for a great Olympic Games.

Taylor is one of four Olympians to be celebrated when they reach their home towns later today after competitors asked for some time off to spend with relatives.

The official public reception for Team Ireland takes place outside the Mansion House in Dublin on Wednesday lunchtime.

Mr Hickey has insisted that there has been no fall-out with the Taylor camp after it was misreported that coach and father Peter Taylor told the sports body he did not want a homecoming in Dublin.

“There is no rift whatsoever between Pete Taylor and the Olympic Council of Ireland or the athletes,” he said.

“I personally have a great relationship with Pete Taylor. He was misquoted in several papers about many things. Of course the man was very angry.”

Mr Hickey rejected claims that the whole homecoming plan had been botched but admitted communications failures.

“Shambles is too big of a word,” he said.

The OCI chief told RTE Radio that he had spoken to his “great friend” Pete Taylor yesterday and that the row over which members of the team did not want a civic reception was caused by a breakdown in communications.

He said the boxing team had made it known at the weekend that they were keen to get home to families immediately after the airport arrival rather than attend celebrations in Dublin city.

Mr Taylor was not consulted as he was at dinner when views were sought.