MOST ADMIRED STAR!

Bray’s Katie Taylor loved by Irish sports fans

BRAY’S Katie Taylor has been named as Ireland’s ‘most admired’ sports star according to the annual Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index.

The Co. Wicklow two-weight world champion finished ahead of Offaly golfer Shane Lowry, Leinster and Ireland rugby star Johnny Sexton, the O’Donovan brothers from Cork and Peter O’Mahony and Rory Best.

The affection in which Katie Taylor is held is blatantly obvious with her performances in the ring in 2019, the release of her fantastic documentary and her honesty and integrity being the primary reasons for people holding her in such high esteem.

It’s been a wonderful year for the Bray bruiser and the recent news that her relationship with dad Pete is on the mend is a very pleasant note for her to bid farewell to a year that has seen her dominate inside and outside of the boxing ring.

Katie was photographed with Pete at the Colosseum Gym in Kylemore, Dublin earlier this week.

Super talented Katie was at the gym to support her boxing coach father Pete, who’s kickstarting Fight Club weekly boxing sessions at Colosseum.

The Bray star had won five world championships and an Olympic gold medal as an amateur with her dad in her corner. However, shortly before the 2016 Olympics, Pete stepped away from his coaching role.

The boxer’s 2018 documentary ‘Katie’ revealed the coach’s departure had been due to the breakup of his marriage.

Katie told CNN in August that not having her dad by her side at the Olympics had ‘hurt so much just because of how much I loved him as well.’

‘But I still have a great relationship with my dad,’ she added. ‘I still absolutely love him.

‘He’s always been a hero to me. And, that will never change. But just to go through that was difficult for me.’