Conor McGregor's fans proud of 'fantastic effort' of defeated hero
Conor McGregor's legion of fans here in Ireland were bleary eyed but full of pride as they reflected on his defeat to Floyd Mayweather.
While thousands made the trip to Las Vegas to witness the historic encounter, those at home either stayed up late or rose extra early to watch the "Notorious" take on the undefeated "Money" Mayweather.
Pubs in Ireland were closed by the time the fighters entered the ring, limiting the opportunities for people to congregate and watch the fight in big numbers.
Around 100 people watched in Crumlin Boxing Club, where a 10-year-old McGregor first pulled on the gloves.
His former coach at the Crumlin club Phil Sutcliffe described his performance as "exceptional".
"It was a fantastic effort from Conor, he showed all the skills that he learned as a child," he said.
"He did better than a lot of boxing pundits thought he would do. He didn't make a show of himself.
"He caught Mayweather a lot more times than a lot of other fighters that Mayweather has been in with.
"We are very proud of how he held himself together. He was exceptional."
A Dublin cinema not far from where McGregor was raised put on special screenings.
Hundreds arrived at the Vue cinema at the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in the early hours to take their seats in front of one of four screens broadcasting the main event from stateside.
With soft drinks and popcorn taking the place of beer, the scenes were not as raucous as those commonplace in Dublin bars during international football matches, but the fans were no less passionate.
Amateur mixed martial arts fighter David Kelly, who trains at the same Dublin gym as McGregor, took plenty of positives from his hero's 10th round defeat.
"We done good, we done a good job," said the 26-year-old from Tallaght.
"This was his first time in a boxing ring, he's never boxed before.
"We are all happy.
"I think there was a lot of people saying we can't do this, that 'he won't lay a glove on him'.
"We surely changed their minds after that fight.
"Conor is a genuine man, he holds our country with pride.
"Anyone who is not happy with that fight last night they don't know about fighting."
Mr Kelly questioned whether Mayweather would be as keen to fight McGregor in an octagon with MMA rules.
"That would be the best of all but it will never happen," he said.
"That would make more money than that boxing fight, I guarantee it.
"But Mayweather's not stupid, he beat us at his game, let him come to our game and we will beat him at our game."
