"At one stage during my teenage years, it was probably my number one sport."
Ahead of her fight against Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, Katie Taylor reflected on her footballing career.
The 35-year-old won 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 2006 and 2009. Taylor also represented her country at under 17 and 19 levels before switching her focus to boxing.
Katie Taylor discusses her Republic of Ireland career.
The Bray boxer was a talented footballer and received a call up to Ireland's under 19 side when she was just 15.
Her final appearance for the Ireland team came in 2011 against Kazakhstan, a year before she won her gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
"I didn't score too many goals, to be honest. But there is one flying about where I scored a goal from outside the box," Taylor told SportsJOE about her first for the senior team against Hungary in 2007 at Tolka Park, a match Ireland won 2-1.
"And that's probably the only goal I've ever scored but it got caught on camera.
"I wasn't a huge goal scorer, but my time playing football was obviously a huge part of my life growing up as well, I loved it."
Football was Taylor's "number one sport" before boxing.
Taylor also reflected on that time when football "was probably my number one sport."
The lightweight champion, however, chose boxing with the Olympics in mind. It's fair to say that she made the correct decision, despite her talent for football.
"I think at one stage during my teenage years, it was probably my number one sport, and I was thinking about pursuing it professionally at some point," said Taylor.
"But obviously, eventually, the boxing hit and there was no real competition about which sport I was going to choose."
Taylor reflects on her time playing football.
The Bray native undoubtedly possessed a sporting talent for whatever she put her mind to. And Taylor said she loved her time playing for Ireland.
"I had a great time playing football and being involved in the Irish set-up from Under-17s, Under-19s level, and senior-level was incredible," Taylor added.
"My best friends have always come from my football days as well, people who I'm still best friends with today so yeah great times and I loved them."
Watch below: Katie Taylor on Roy Keane's phone call at her 'lowest point'.
DAZN's live and exclusive coverage of Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano takes place on April 30 at Madison Square Garden. For boxing fans in Ireland and the UK, fight coverage starts just after midnight, May 1 with the main event due to take place just after 3 am. Details on how to watch can be found here.
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