At the heart of Diamond Park existed an unquenchable thirst for gold. This thirst was quenched by Kellie Harrington, a true jewel of the community. As Harrington fought bravely in Paris’s Roland Garros, her supporters from amongst the concrete jungles of Seán McDermott Street sent their spirit and passion her way. Children adorned with T-shirts, emblazoned with the battle cry “Go Kellie, Go! From the kids of Portland Row,” clung to the faces of the massive screen as they reveled in Harrington’s prowess, relishing the attention from onlooking photographers.
Considered Diamond Park’s crown jewel, Harrington, in the eyes of her community, is not only their pride but also a double Olympic champion. The neighbourhood came together to soak in the awe-inspiring success of one of their own, echoing across the global sports scene. They rallied behind her, hailing both her representation of Ireland and representation of their unity.
Harrington’s first Olympic win was an uproarious affair that left the community swelling with pride, despite the early morning hours in Portland Row and the looming pandemic. However, three years down the line, sunset lit up a success story amidst a pandemic-free atmosphere. On this particular occasion, all the inhabitants of the north inner-city of Dublin could be a part of this triumphant chapter in Harrington’s career.
From infants, who in years to come would share tales of Harrington’s second gold, to seniors who were advised to keep aloof during the Covid era, to those who struggled with early morning starts; this time, the Tuesday night boxing matches suited everyone perfectly. They would all remember the exultant conclusion of Day 11 of the 33rd Olympiad when their champion Harrington created history by becoming the first Irish woman to secure consecutive gold medals for Ireland. To celebrate this memorable event, a crowd of a thousand from the locale gathered in the petite park to watch Harrington battle her longstanding adversary, Wenlu Yang of China.
The Dublin City Council, in partnership with the North East Inner City Initiative, hosted a live public viewing on a gigantic screen measuring eight metres by three. Although it wasn’t Roland Garros, the atmosphere was electric, hinting at something remarkable about to occur. In terms of locations, following Paris, Diamond Park was seen as the prime go-to spot.
Among the early arrivals was Liam Mooney or, as he’s commonly known, St Patrick. His attire was a sight to behold, boasting a blend of green, white and orange along with a green hued beard which, despite their age of over 35 years, were remarkably well-preserved. “I once sported them for Christmas in Australia,” he shared.
Kellie was also spoken of in the highest regard. “She is a true reflection of not only the north inner city but also of the entire country. Despite her acclaim, her feet are firmly planted on the ground,” he claimed.
City Councillor Christy Burke suggested bestowing upon her the honour of naming the August bank holiday. “Her contributions towards the unification of this community outweigh those made by the governments in the past three decades,” he emphasized.
He introduced us to Joe Dowling, a man donning an Ireland jersey, a large Tricolour and a green beret. He is an experienced community worker who quipped, “I am under the influence of Cliff Richard’s tablets”. When asked about the origin of his striking beret, he replied “Lourdes”.
Joe made sure to reserve a spot for Angie Broderick from East Wall, who has been battling severe respiratory problems in recent years. Angie, however, was insistent about being present. “Since Kellie was in Tokyo, my sister Marie and I adorned our windows with posters and bunting. Things have been tough and cancer claimed Marie last year. But I keep her phone active and as memories from the past three years emerge, I am reminded of the good times we had together, which is why I had to be here.”
The event was concluded by Eddie Sherlock of The Rattling Coins, who performed an invigorating solo version of his tribute song to Kellie, ‘Queen of the City.’ He hinted at revising the lyrics for their next performance.
Kaylynn Purtill, a resident of the neighbouring St Mary’s Mansions, came with three-year-old Autumn Byrne. The toddler accompanied her dearest toy doll to the event. “Aggie is the name of my beloved tot. Kellie is destined to triumph,” she expressed with sheer conviction.
Time was inching forward, with the younger brigade contributing most of the vocal energy. The older individuals appeared more restrained, anxiously waiting for the imminent fight. However, the match was lagging behind schedule in Paris and tension was escalating.
When the contest finally instigated with the ringing of the inaugural bell, Dubliners watched nervously, hiding behind their hands. When Kellie Harrington made her appearance, the audience burst into excited applause. Most looked upwards, their gazes fixated on the large display, nervously hopeful and expectant.
A nerve-wracking nine minutes ensued. The judges rendered a massive lead to the Dubliner, Kellie, after the early rounds. She simply needed to box intelligently and endure till the concluding bell. But in boxing, one can never be sure.
We watched, holding our breath. Kellie Harrington, clad in blue – St Patrick’s blue, symbolic of Ireland, and now representing Dublin’s double Olympic victory. She gleefully danced in the ring and so did her fans at Diamond Park. We never doubted her, not for a moment.
Chloe Keegan, a 26-year-old Coolock native, was on the brink of fainting due to tension. She remarked, “I came straight from training at Emmet Brennan’s gym off Gaelic Street in the North Strand. Watching Kellie was nerve-wracking. I’m all nerves.” Encouraged to take up boxing at a young age to combat bullying and boost self-esteem, she had her first match in a dozen years just a fortnight ago. Kellie’s achievements resonated with her, arousing her inspiration. “It’s remarkable to witness such a surge of women stepping forward.”
History was in the making, a thought reverberating in many minds. Patty Doyle, an 86-year-old Clonliffe Road resident, remarked, “This is a historic moment in the making, which is why I wanted to be present. I’m absolutely thrilled to show her my support after watching her at the previous Olympics.” She was accompanied by her daughter, Mary Michie, and two grandchildren, Hannah and Emma, visiting from Aberdeen. Patty wanted them to experience this extraordinary occasion as well.
The clock struck eleven when a glowing Kellie leapt back into the boxing ring to claim her golden victory token. As she placed herself on the champion’s stand, her hand over her chest, tears of elation streamed down her face while Ireland’s national anthem echoed across Roland Garros. Her compatriots from the northern inner city in Diamond Park wept celebratory tears alongside her. Their anticipation was building to welcome her back home, to share in their collective pride and happiness. Nearby, her home street of Portland Row was adorned with colourful flags where her parents, Yvonne and Christy, stood by their entrance, silently sharing this significant occasion with their community and close friends. Expressing her thoughts shortly after her triumph, Kellie, now a bona fide boxing legend, stated she was almost certain, “98 percent”, of her plans to hang up her gloves. She declared, “This is the final showdown, I’m complete.” Although her boxing journey may have reached its end, it surely isn’t her last roaring success.