Katie Taylor meets fans at a civic homecoming reception for Team Ireland in Dublin yesterday. (Pic: Niall Carson/PA)

Katie Taylor and her father Peter are to meet professional boxing promoters from the US and Britain, it has emerged.

Speaking at a government reception for Ireland’s Olympians held at Farmleigh yesterday, Mr Taylor told the Irish Times that they were to meet the promoters.

Katie Taylor told reporters she will make up her mind in coming weeks.

“I’m definitely not going to retire but whether I go pro or not, I simply don’t know. I will make that decision in the next few weeks,” she said.

“We’re talking to the professional promoters …we’ve a meeting tomorrow with a few professional promoters. We’d love to stay for Rio de Janiero as well,” added her father, Peter.

“My preference would be for Katie to stop altogether but Katie’s made the choice she wants to carry on boxing. We’ll support her 100 per cent. So we’ve talks tomorrow and we’ll see where that leads.”

Not for the first time the Olympic boxers stole the show as about 5,000 people turned out in Dublin city centre yesterday to honour Team Ireland athletes.

Cian O’Connor was also on stage with his bronze medal, fresh from competing in the opening day of the Dublin Horse Show.

Thirty-one members of the squad took part in the event on Dawson Street as well as back room staff.

The team also enjoyed a special lunch at the Mansion House before a government reception hosted by Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Farmleigh.

Dublin City Council chiefs had made plans for 20,000 people to turn up at the homecoming and the low turnout was blamed on the weather.

Anne Warfield, from Harold’s Cross, said: “We were singing in the rain. It was great. We just forgot about the rain and even put our umbrellas down.”

Legendary runner Ronnie Delaney, who won gold in the 1500m in Melbourne in 1956, used the celebration to extend an invite to Katie Taylor.

“I’d like to welcome Katie into the golden circle,” he told the crowds.

“And there’s plenty of room in there so role on Rio.”

The event was attended by Dublin’s Lord Mayor Naoise O Muiri, junior sports minister Michael Ring, Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) president Pat Hickey and popular sporting figures, jockey Ruby Walsh and Olympic silver medal winning boxer Kenny Egan.

Tony Sutherland, father of late silver medal winning boxer Darren, who carried the Olympic flame as it made its way through Dublin earlier this year was also on stage.

“I’m doing this on behalf of my son Darren, all I can say is I wish he was here,” he said.

Despite the incessant rain and building winds, other fans up and down Dawson Street were not put off.

Patricia Fay, from East Wall in Dublin, said: “To think of the gorgeous weather they had in Bray on Monday – we can’t be that lucky all the time. But the event itself was moved on so quickly because they didn’t want us getting too wet. There was no waiting around. It’s just been a great afternoon.

“Ireland is a safe place with the young people we have.”

Francis Lane, from Dublin, said: “The entertainment, the atmosphere – it’s all been wonderful. And it was great to see Katie with her gold medal. And the rest of the team. They all seem to get on well together.”

With Staff Writer