Kenny Egan believes Kellie Harrington will be spoken about in the same breath as Olympic legends Vasiliy Lomachenko and Ariel Hernandez if she wins back-to-back gold medals.

The reigning 60kg champion is looking to defend her title after overcoming a difficult patch and Egan has backed her to make the podium in Paris.

Harrington famously won gold in Tokyo three years ago, sparking wild scenes in Dublin’s north inner city, and Beijing silver medalist Egan believes she can deliver a second time. And get the credit she deserves.

“Kellie Harrington is returning to do something that has never been done before by an Irish boxer,” said Egan.

“This stuff is the stuff of dreams. There’s only the likes of Vasiliy Lomachenko, a Ukrainian superstar who wins gold and then goes back and wins a gold second a time.

“Or the Cubans, Ariel Hernandez or Teofilo Stevenson — I don’t think people realise what she’s trying to do.

“An Olympic gold medal and then go back and qualify to have a chance to replicate it at the same weight. Not jumping weights or anything like that. It’s huge.”

Harrington spoke on the RTE series Path To Paris about going to the “really darkest of the darkest places” after an ill-advised social media post and subsequent Newstalk radio interview that backfired badly.

But Egan, who faced his own demons in the aftermath of Beijing, is happy to see Harrington focussed again on what she does best.

“She’s gone off social media now, which is good. She mentioned on TV there that she went through a rocky period, but she’s human,” said Egan.

“They’re all human, they all have feelings and emotions that they have to deal with.

“In the ring the eyes are on Kellie, she has to perform. There’s a lot of young athletes that want to take her title, they want her scalp, but there’s no reason why she can’t take the gold again.”

Egan was at the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris yesterday for the unveiling of Shane Lowry and Sarah Lavin as the flag bearers for Team Ireland at last night’s opening ceremony.

He will fly home tomorrow after catching some of the action at the North Paris Arena where the early rounds of the boxing competition take place.

Ten fighters will step between the ropes in the Irish vest over the next two weeks and Egan is confident of their chances after Thursday’s draw, which saw a number of them receive byes.

Kenny Egan (in red) takes on Xiaoping Zhang (in blue) of China in 2008 Olympic final
(Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)

“When I seen the draw, I didn’t panic. The draw was favourable,” said Egan. “A bye is grand, but at the same time when you’re training for four years, you want to get in the ring.

“That added time out of the ring, it builds more anxiety, more thinking, too much time in your head. I think the lads that are starting off, it’s great for them to get the ball rolling.

“I was speaking to Zaur (Antia) and they’re all in great form and a happy camp is important. They’re all on weight and all focussed.”

Egan was unlucky to lose a very tight decision against China’s Zhang Xiaoping in the light-heavyweight final in Beijing in 2008.

But he says Aidan Walsh must put all thoughts about home advantage out of his mind when facing France’s Makan Traore tomorrow.

“Aidan Walsh faces a French fighter and the home crowd will be massive. How will the judges react to that? You know?” said Egan.

“But look, they have no control over judges, boxers have to just go in and perform. If they’re convincing enough, the judges will have to give it to the Irish boxer.

“Don’t be looking at the vest. Just beat the person that’s in the vest, don’t worry about nationalities.

“Someone said to me about Aidan Walsh, ‘He’ll either get disqualified or he’ll win a medal’. That’s the type of boxer he is. No-one wants to fight Aidan Walsh.

“He’s awkward, he’s hard to score against. His footwork is brilliant, but he’s very, very awkward. A horrendous fighter to face.

“He could medal again and be a two-time Olympic medalist. He has that opportunity.”

Ireland's Aidan Walsh celebrates beating Merven Clair (blue) of Mauritius in Tokyo
Ireland’s Aidan Walsh celebrates beating Merven Clair (blue) of Mauritius in Tokyo
(Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie)

Boxing has traditionally been Ireland’s strongest event at the Olympics and Egan is hopeful the current squad can add to the list of medal winners.

“Jack Marley, a fellow Dub, Sallynoggin Inn…up ya boya! He has a great chance,” said Egan. “Dean Clancy is another talented boxer.

“Jude Gallagher fights a Philippines boxer who will be tough, but Jude is an exceptional talent. He’s coached by Eric Donovan and Eric is here.

“Aoife O’Rourke, from Roscommon, is a very good European champion, she has a great chance of medalling. What colour? I don’t know, but if she gets to a bronze position, the world’s her oyster.

“Michaela Walsh could sneak a medal, she has the experience. Daina Moorehouse is only 4’11”, but she’s a little powerhouse, a great little fighter. Gráinne Walsh is talented.

“Jenny Lehane has got lucky with the draw and she has a chance. But getting that first fight out of the way, the nerves, that’s the important thing.

“Getting a good start and winning the first round in your fight is so important. 90 per cent of fights are won by the fighter who wins the first round.

“People used to get an Irish boxer and think, ‘Oh that’s grand’, but not any more, nobody wants to face Irish fighters any more. Our technique is good, our strength and conditioning, everything is bang on.

“We’ve 133 athletes and someone said to me on the way over the medal figure could be in double digits from all sports.”

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