There likely wasn't a man, woman or child in Ireland lacking a lump in their throat as Katie Taylor courageously battled through the most difficult post-fight interview of her career.
The 30-year-old Bray lightweight exited the Olympic Games at the first hurdle yesterday, Finland's Mira Potkonen proving too effective in the eyes of the judges and claiming a controversial if hardly scandalous victory on countback.
Defeat likely signals the end of Taylor's Olympic career if not her career as a whole, and the tributes flooded in for one of Ireland's most beloved sportspeople in the immediate aftermath of her quarter-final bout.
Taylor has achieved feats for her country that will likely never be replicated - not least single-handedly building a sport and playing a role in women's boxing inclusion in the Olympics since London 2012, where she took gold. This morning's papers almost universally feature Taylor on their front pages, such is the shock and disappointment at her early exit from Rio.
Katie Taylor features across Tuesday's front pages via @rtenews pic.twitter.com/Hr00wIkQcQ
— RTÉ (@rte) August 16, 2016
Really feel for #katietaylor this morning. Just want to give her a big hug. A great athlete @IrishTimes pic.twitter.com/fLHFsFxWvc
— Marty Whelan (@martylyricfm) August 16, 2016
Taylor has vowed to fight on, and we can only hope she cuts a happier figure on the front pages after next year's World Championships.
