Offaly boxer Grainne disappointed to bow out of Olympics

TULLAMORE boxer Grainne Walsh was desperately disappointed to exit the Olympics this afternoon but promised her supporters they would be seeing her again.

The 28-year-old lost her 66kg round of 32 fight against Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori on a split decision, 4-1, in what was a very scrappy contest.

Speaking afterwards on RTE, Walsh said she was especially disappointed that she had not been seen at her best during the gruelling three-round bout at the North Paris Arena.

“I’m just so disappointed. I put in so much hard work to get to this point and I wasn't just coming here to make up the numbers and I know I'm miles better than that,” she said.

“I feel like I probably wasn't let show my best. She was sloppy, but look, I have to roll with the punches as the saying goes. I'll come back I suppose.”

She agreed that it may have been hard for her to get into her own rhythm.

“I expected her to be more on the back foot but you have to be able to adapt. I rely so much on my coaches and my corner. I feel we're one big team even though it's an individual sport. They're with me all the way and I trust their guidance 100 per cent.

“I'm just disappointed for all the work they put into me that I couldn't produce the best version of Grainne Walsh. But this isn't the end of the road, I'm only 28, I feel like I'm actually coming into my peak, I've had so many setbacks that I've spoken about openly. I'm no stranger to a comeback so you'll see me again.”

Asked if she felt there had been spoiling by Hamori, she responded: “Absolutely. My style is all out action and I feed off crowds like this. I'm not used to this kind of crowd but I love getting the crowd going and I feel that support so much in there.”

“There's so many people from home that came over to see me, that just means the world to me and I'm just bitterly disappointed to not give them the celebration that they deserve as well for being with me all the way. I'm very grateful.

“Above anything I'm very proud of myself... I'm not a one-man band, I have an army of people that are supporting me every step of the way.

“None of that is actually seen, everybody see this kind of stuff but it's all the days I spend alone crying at home. I have my family there to support me.

“But I'm just so disappointed. I'm seeing all the tricolours and Offaly jerseys. Thanks so much to everyone for all the support. (pictured below are Amy Wilson and Niamh Hickey from Tullamore) Honestly, that means the world to me and to get to this stage to be an Olympian, an Olympian once, for life, so I'm very proud.”

She concluded by thanking her supporters at home: “I absolutely love this life, there's many kids at home that are looking up to us and I'm very proud to be a leader and a role model to people at home.

“This is not the last you'll see of Grainne Walsh, that's for sure.”