Katie Taylor: Irish fighter focused on Mayor Croke Park victory

Katie Taylor admits she was a bit “nervous” watching the clips celebrating their thrilling All-Ireland football final victory over Kerry on Sunday.

It was a very emotional afternoon in Croke Park as Mayo ended their 75-year wait for a Sam Maguire success and with Taylor headlining the famous Dublin Stadium for his farewell fight against Flora Pilley on September 5, it was set to be another unforgettable night in Irish sport.

After being a part of some breakthrough nights throughout his career, including his victories as an amateur and pro, Taylor has one more box to tick and will do so against Pili with the undisputed light-welterweight championship on offer.

It was a day of unbridled joy for Mayo at the venue on Sunday as they ended a run of 11-straight defeats in finals since 1951, an occasion that transcends the Gaelic Games and, for Taylor, served as a reminder of his own big crossover night.

“I’ve been watching the reaction from the Mayo fans and it’s been fantastic,” said the undisputed two-division champion.

“It’s been an amazing few days even watching the clips from that game and the reaction from the Mayo fans – I’m delighted for them. The 75-year curse is over.

“I was watching a clip this morning and thinking ‘I can’t believe I’m headlining here in a couple of weeks’ the noise, the atmosphere and how electric the stadium is.

“I actually had to stop the clip because I got a bit nervous watching the Mayo players celebrating and everyone’s emotion. The game is very special.”