Kellie Harrington joined an esteemed list of Irish repeat Olympic champions with her epic win over China's Wenlu Yang at Roland Garros on Tuesday night.
After a lengthy delay, the fight finally got underway well after 11pm local time, with Harrington enjoying the better of the opening stages.
The Dubliner would ultimately cruise to victory, winning 4-1 on a split decision to take a second gold medal in succession. She announced her retirement moments after securing victory.
It was a hugely popular win and marked a stark contrast to her gold medal in Tokyo, which took place behind closed doors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only were fans present, but the proximity of Paris allowed swathes of Irish fans to descend on the French capital to show their support.
They certainly made their presence felt in the iconic venue of Roland Garros, with chants of "Olé, Olé" heard on the TV broadcast throughout the bout.
Among the fervent Irish support were a few major figures from Gaelic football, with two multiple All-Ireland winners from Dublin joined by the recently All-Ireland-winning Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney.
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Kieran McGeeney and Dublin legends take in Kellie Harrington's gold medal win
Ahead of Tuesday's gold medal fight, RTÉ's Jacqui Hurley caught up with a few Gaelic football legends outside the repurposed tennis stadium in central Paris.
Among the Irish fans pouring into the stadium was Kieran McGeeney, who recently finally ended his long wait for a major honour as an intercounty manager.
The All-Ireland-winning Armagh boss told Hurley that watching his squad celebrate their Sam Maguire triumph was one of the highlights of his career.
McGeeney was also planning on taking in some of the athletics in Paris this week but said that he had a "keen" interest in taking in Kellie Harrington's bout with Yang on Tuesday night.
Olympians are something different. I've a keen interest in boxing, I saw Kellie's fight the other night and she fought really well. She was against a very strong opponent but picked her punches well.
The Chinese girl she's fighting tonight has good range as a puncher but I'm looking forward to it. The stadium in there is packed with Irish people so it's gonna be nuts.
'I've a keen interest in boxing... Kellie is fighting really well'
All-Ireland winning manager Kieran McGeeney is in Paris to support Kellie Harrington
📺 Watch https://t.co/b2OI4OpuLh
📱Updates https://t.co/c67AsBzYgq #RTESport #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/rVcroupde5— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 6, 2024
McGeeney revealed his own efforts as a boxer, and said that he had pointed to Ireland's Olympians as an inspiration for his Armagh team.
They're incredible athletes. I've often told Gaelic footballers, when you're on about rowers, cyclists, boxers, swimming - the training they do is phenomenal. I can appreciate what they have to go through.
Looking forward to seeing a good fight now. Hopefully she wins it because there will be a phenomenal noise in there if she does - when she does!
Thankfully, Harrington was indeed victorious and the roof was indeed raised.
Kieran McGeeney was not the only Gaelic football royalty caught by RTÉ ahead of Tuesday's massive fight.
Michael Darragh Macauley was spotted at Harrington's semi-final alongside fellow Dublin legends Noelle Healy and Sarah McCaffrey, and he was joined by yet another ex-Dub in Kevin McManamon for Tuesday's gold medal bout.
Dubs on tour...
Michael Darragh MacAuley and Kevin McManamon are at Roland Garros this evening to support their friend Kellie Harrington#RTESport #Paris2024
📺 Watch https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Updates https://t.co/c67AsBzqqS pic.twitter.com/3jB2wV7gk8— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 6, 2024
The two caught up with RTÉ outside the Stade Philippe-Chatrier ahead of the final on Tuesday. Macauley is close friends with Kellie Harrington, and said that he had spent what felt like "seven weeks" following her exploits at the Paris Olympics.
Macauley was pictured in the crowd at the semi-final wearing what looked to be a green beret, and he defended his fashion choices while chatting to Jacqui Hurley.
I wore one dodgy beret and I'm still getting stick! I have it for good luck!
I've been here seven days and it feels like seven weeks, to be honest with you. It's been amazing, the place is on fire. I haven't even gotten into Roland Garros yet and I am so excited, this place looks amazing.
Kellie has been fresh, she hasn't put a foot wrong. When she came back it was like, 'okay, she's back.'
It's all to play for but obviously I'm backing Kellie.
Kevin McManamon worked as the sports psychology lead for Irish boxing ahead of the Tokyo Olympics which saw Kellie Harrington win her first gold. He spoke about the mental demands of ramping up to an Olympic bout.
It's a melting pot. Arriving for your warm-up, backstage...you can see your opponent across the way, you're both doing your warm-ups. It's very tense.
Kellie's well able for it, she has plenty of experience. She knows what needs to be done, she needs to be fairly focused. I'd be very confident that she performs. If she gets the win, great.
The pair of Dublin legends would even begrudgingly agree with Jacqui Hurley's suggestion that a second Olympic gold would make Kellie Harrington an even bigger Dublin sporting legend than them with their six-in-a-row All-Ireland medals.
What a special night in Roland Garros.
SEE ALSO: 'This One Was For Me!' - Kellie Harrington Retires In Brilliant Interview After Gold Win
