Political plaudits for Kelly Harrington but homecoming may lead to real results
Kelly Harrington’s glorious gold medal at the World Championships in India at the weekend sparked an outpouring of political support – and tonight there were some real results.
The Inner-City Dublin lightweight was hailed by politicians from around the country after topping the podium in New Delhi following a split-decision win in Saturday’s decider versus Thailand’s Sudaporn Seesondee.
The 28-year-old became our third ever senior World gold medallist and the plaudits flowed in and, following a Civic Reception tonight, so will some funding.
President Higgins: “My congratulations to Kellie Harrington on her outstanding achievement today, winning an AIBA World Elite lightweight gold medal – her fourth major international medal. She is an exceptional athlete, role model and ambassador for the inner City.”
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) November 24, 2018
I hope Kellie Harrington really enjoys her homecoming celebration in Dublin's North Inner City tonight. She's an inspiration to young boys and girls after her brilliant gold medal win in New Delhi.
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) November 26, 2018
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, said “on behalf of the Irish people I would like to congratulate the Irish boxing teams on their medal successes at the recent Men’s EU Elite Championships in Spain and Women’s World Elite Championships in India. In particular, I would like to congratulate Kurt Walker on winning gold and Kieran Molloy on winning bronze in Spain and Kellie Harrington on winning gold in India. These results are a tribute to your hard work, commitment and dedication to reach the highest levels in your sport. I had the pleasure of meeting Kellie at the launch of the National Sports Policy in her own backyard in Sheriff St earlier this year and I am delighted to see all her hard work has paid off this week.”
Fáilte abhaile Kellie – world champion boxer, world champion human being @Kelly64kg All of us are so proud of you pic.twitter.com/XStZg9a7s5
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) November 26, 2018
Irish woman is new World Champion
Congratulations to Kelly Harrington who has just won GOLD at the World Lightweight Boxing Championships in New Delhi!
She is the second ever Irishwoman to win this title and we are so proud! @Irishboxingcom #WomenInSport #MnáNahÉireann https://t.co/MBTNaCDwd8
— ⚖️Josepha Madigan (@josephamadigan) November 24, 2018
Minister of State with a responsibility for Sport said “I am delighted to congratulate Kellie Harrington, Kurt Walker and Kieran Molloy on their fantastic medal wins in India and Spain. By your achievements you provide encouragement and inspiration to countless young boxers throughout Ireland who aspire to represent their country at the highest levels. I would also like to commend the IABA High Performance Director Bernard Dunne and his coaching teams for all their work in preparing the Irish teams for these Championships. I would like to wish all our boxers continued success in the future and especially with Tokyo in mind in 2020.”
Fantastic achievement by Kellie Harrington in winning the AIBA World Elite Lightweight Gold medal. Great day for the North Inner City and St Mary's BC. Commitment and determination rewarded.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 24, 2018
Portland Row in Dublin 1 is a small enough street, but it has produced soccer international Wes Hoolahan and now gold medal winner @Kelly64kg!
Congrats Kellie Harrington!
(My Granny was from Portland Row too but that’s another story….) pic.twitter.com/IbILVDXIDh— Aodhán Ă“ RĂordáin (@AodhanORiordain) November 24, 2018
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Nial Ring, is a boxing enthusiast who hails from Ballybough in the North Inner City and pushed for and hosted a civic reception for Harrington this evening on Sean MacDermott Street.
KELLIE HARRINGTON WORLD CHAMPION! Congratulations to @Kelly64kg , one of our own from the North Inner City. Now WORLD CHAMPION. Watch us celebrate this in town. See you when you get back Kellie – a brilliant ambassador for our community and now a WORLD CHAMPION!!
— Nial Ring (@nialring) November 24, 2018
On stage, the outspoken Independent Councillor took aim at the Sports Minister for his non-attendance in comparison to other events celebrating Irish sporting success.
Ring asked “where is the Minister for Sport Shane Ross?” and noted how he was “there for the hockey,” and “there for the Dubs” but pointedly questioned why he was not “here in the north inner city”.
However, among all the political congratulations and the questioning, something tangible and beneficial has come from the win with Ring announcing the ‘Dublin City Council Kellie Harrington Boxing Fund’.
Specific details of the fund will be revealed in due course.
A homecoming for world champion Kellie Harrington is underway on Sean McDermott Street pic.twitter.com/2XIpV1ApUD
— Dublin's Q102 (@Q102FeelGood) November 26, 2018
Photo Credit: Chris Shelly (DCC)
