'Hard work and dedication pays off' for Kellie Harrington

Ireland's Kellie Harrington celebrates winning a gold medal with coach John Conlan. Picture: INPHO/Dave Winter

There were more tears from Kellie Harrington as she received her gold medal at the European Olympic qualifiers as well as the dawning realisation that she may be the one the rest have to watch out for in Tokyo next month.

The 31-year-old Dubliner booked her Olympics place on Saturday but has gone from strength to strength since, winning her semi-final against Turkey’s Esra Yildiz in Monday and outboxing Great Britain’s much-vaunted 20-year-old Caroline Dubois in Tuesday’s final.