Gold medallist Kellie Harrington would never give up her job for boxing

She is up there with the best when it comes to the sport of boxing but in her private life, her job as a cleaner is every bit as important to Kellie Harrington.

Her colleagues at St Vincent’s Hospital, Fairview, are like a second family to her and have stood by her as she made her way to the top, something she couldn’t have done without.

Picking up an Olympic gold medal in 2021, she has encouraged those around her to take part in sports and has aspired many to venture into the world of boxing.

For Kellie, her job is something that is just as important as the game and she won’t be giving it up any time soon.

Eurospar Convention Killarney 2023, Kellie Harrington. Pic: Don MacMonagle

This year, she has teamed up with Spar in launching the €60,000 Community Fund. Six local clubs, groups or programmes will be awarded €10,000 which will help areas build projects and encourage people of all ages to get involved in different activities.

Getting involved in this was a no-brainer for the sports star. Coming from the close-knit area of Portland Row, in Dublin, people go the extra mile to help one another and for Kellie this is something that is ‘very close to her heart’.

Encouraging kids and teenagers to get involved in boxing, Kellie said if given the chance she would not center her whole life around the sport, her job is just as important to her.

‘I like my job and that’s a part of who I am. I’ve been there for 11 years, probably longer,’ she said.

Eurospar Convention Killarney 2023, Kellie Harrington. Pic: Don MacMonagle

Without their help, Kellie wouldn’t have been able to have had the success she has had.

‘You know, they’re the ones who are basically letting me have time off. They’re facilitating me, not me facilitating them. So, I’m thankful for them for doing that for me and for the women who are covering me all the time,’ she said.

Right now, the 33-year-old has no plans of opening up her own boxing club but she says: ‘I’ve loads of different plans and scenarios in my head, but I won’t know what’s gonna be right until I’m finished my own boxing career.’

It looks like we will just have to watch this space, but we feel there is another Olympic medal brewing there.

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