BY JONNY STAPLETON

IRELAND came to a stand still at 4:45 today as Katie Taylor fought for London 2012 Gold.

Ten minuets later, however a Nation, united in its desire for Taylor success, erupted as the World’s greatest female fighter became Olympic Champion.

The Bray sensation cemented her status as Ireland’s greatest ever sports person with a ground breaking and historic victory in front of massive joyful support.

Taylor came from behind to beat old foe Sofya Ochigava 10-7 in an extremely tense fight becoming the first lightweight Olympic champion, first female Irish gold medallist and Ireland’s first podium topper since Michael Carruth in 1992.

Ireland’s Olympic Champion

There where  immensely emotional scene’s when Taylor was declared the winner as those witnessing a momentous day in the history of Irish sport were fighting back the tears minutes after they fought every round with Taylor.

A flood warning was then issued in the ExCel as there was no fighting the tears when Amhran Na Bhfiann was belted out during the medal ceremony and Taylor and the Irish fans created one of most memorable scenes of the London 2012 Olympcis.

The 26 year old has upgraded from Irish legend to life long world legend winning the most eagerly anticipated female fight of all time and a bout that captured the attention of the world.

The victory, which could prove as significant for female sport across the board as it is for Irish sport, was  a culmination of life’s work for the ‘Bray girl in the ring’, but it was as routine as those with weak hearts where hoping for.

The two time World champion from Russian was a point ahead after two rounds and was proving a more than worthy opponent for the greatest female fighter on the planet.

Taylor, however showed the true spirit of a champion held her nerve registered a sensational third stanza and ensured the fairly tale had a happy ending with composed fourth round innings.

It is truly a historic victory and one which Taylor deserved especially considering she has been female boxings leading light with four World titles and five European gold’s already glistening on her mantle piece.

Taylor went into the bout with praise from boxing greats, world leaders and the Irish Nation in her ears, but just as she predicted it was touch and go for the first two rounds.

It was level, 2-2 after the first round and Ochgava lead 4-3 by the end of the second 2 minute instalment.
Taylor didn’t panic, remained  wary of aggressively perusing the counter puncher and the chess match perused.  The Irish girl won the third round 4-1 to move 7-5 ahead and it was check mate come the final bell as Taylor won 10-7.