The end of one journey for Taylors

Twenty four hours after winning an Olympic gold medal life has already begun to change for boxer Katie Taylor.

The 26-year last night spent a few hours at an event organised by one of her sponsors, P&G, in the Irish National Olympic Council House in King’s Cross.

There Taylor was joined by her mother Bridget, father Peter, sister Sarah along with her brother Peter and his wife Kim.

So far, so normal. But that isn’t the complete picture. Look a bit closer and you would have seen the quartet of security guards managing the flow of VIP well-wishers, including Leinster and Ireland rugby star Rob Kearney, that were there to share a moment with the Taylor’s.

Taylor’s mother Bridget admits she is unsure how their world is going to change after Thursday’s historic afternoon in London’s ExCel Arena.

But last night’s organised festivities were a tiny taster of what may lay in store when Taylor touches down at home.

Mother Bridget said: “I know she gets noticed a lot already but I think it will multiply many times. I don’t know how she is going to handle that. We will just have to wait and see.

“She is very modest, she doesn’t like the limelight too much but she was really delighted with the win. I think you could see it in her face, the relief. There was a lot of pressure on her.”

Such uncertainty about the future is understandable for any mother but one constant that Katie will be able to rely on is the support of her family whatever path she decides to take in life.

Bridget agreed: “As a family we understand each other, we understand what we go through together coming up to fights. Other families do as well when they are watching their children compete. It is a real family affair. There is nobody left out of the circle. Everybody comes together to support her and I think she keeps us all a bit humble.”

Looking for a sign of young Katie’s humility? Let’s take her plans to celebrate becoming Ireland’s first female medal winner since Sonia O’Sullivan in 2000 and the first boxing gold medallist since Michael Carruth in Barcelona 20 years ago this week.

“She just wants to go out for a family meal where we can all spend a bit of time together and mull over the things of the past few weeks.

“She is really looking forward to seeing her granny when she gets home. She loves her, absolutely loves her. She has been doing a lot of crying.”

And after all the euphoria of Thursday, you get the sense that the enormity of Katie’s achievement is only beginning to sink through now for Bridget and the family.

Yes, the ExCel centre was thronged with thousands of Irish, yet outside the big city of London trundled on its daily way unaffected by Taylor’s heroics.

Bridget is still trying to come to terms with the images of thousands of people thronging the streets of her home town, and the pictures of how a country ground to a standstill.

“We were watching some of the footage from home, looking at old people crying and children crying. There was a roller coaster of emotion going on.

“It is incredible to think that one person can have that effect on a nation.”

As to what Katie will do next Bridget remains in the dark as much as everyone else.

Will she quit boxing as her father hopes? Will she remain in the amateur game and add to her haul of World and European titles? Or what about suggestions that one of the world’s most successful female boxers could turn pro?

“We’d probably all live longer if she quit,” she grinned. “I don’t think people really understand the nerves you go through. As far as quitting is concerned, we will support her as long as she is in it.

“But I don’t know whether she would go back into the football. I think her touch is probably off at the minute!”

A move into professional boxing would more than likely require Katie plying her trade in the cash rich rings of the United States. But could Katie Taylor, the very definition of an Irish home-bird, manage to uproot herself from a life in Wicklow for the bright lights of the USA.

“We’d probably all have to go, dog and all! Who knows?” Bridget laughed at the suggestion.

Thursday’s victory hasn’t just changed Katie Taylor’s life. It is set to change the lives of kids throughout the country who will start pestering moms and dads to buy them the boxing gloves, the head gear, in the quest to be just like that girl on the television.

“Don’t push them,” is the advice from Bridget. “If they take an interest and they have a talent then support them but I wouldn’t be pushing them into it. It is not for the faint hearted. It is a tough sport.”

Now that Katie is the most recognised woman in Ireland her mother is already planning ahead.

“I’ll have to get an electric fence and a few rottweillers and keep everyone away,” she smiled.

The Taylors were speaking at an event organised by P&G.