"WAS it live on TV? On RTE?" The questions were delivered with incredulity by Olympic boxer Francis Barrett (19) calling home yesterday from Atlanta after trouncing a hapless Brazilian.
The first traveller to represent Ireland in the Olympics is modest despite his outstanding achievement.
His start to the Games was almost matched by post bout celebrations in Galway. It was champagne among the bonfires until dawn at the traveller encampment in Hillside. Most eyes were on the television outside the caravan of Barrett's parents, Frank and Margaret, where they live with their 12 children.
The aerial on the small portable, run by a generator, was tuned into Atlanta as 150 people gathered around. The raised hands of victory in the Atlanta ring triggered the celebrations.
"It was wonderful for all travellers", Mr Barrett said. "It was wonderful for the settled people of Galway. We are all very proud of Francie ... When he wins the gold, we'll have the party."
Mrs Barrett never doubted her son - "He was always able to look after himself."
His sparring partner and brother, Jimmy (17), preferred to speculate on threats to the medal: "Apart from the Cuban and the Russian, there's nobody in his class."
The bout may have been won by boxing's equivalent of a mile but, save for the odd roar of "Come on, Frankie", it was watched quietly. Maybe it was the shock of an Olympic dream becoming reality. Those present had watched this young man for hours sparring in his homemade gym, a ramshackle transport container.
While his mentor, Mr Michael "Chick" Gillen, watched the fight at home in Mervue, Barrett had much praise for the man who introduced him to boxing at the age of 11 in the aptly named Olympic Club. "I hit the Brazilian with great body shots. That's what Chick taught me.
Mr Gillen spent the day at his barber shop on Dominick Street, where he turned down seven offers to fly him to Atlanta. As he left to take a call in a nearby pub he declared: "It's promoter Don King wondering if Francis will turn professional."
Passers by looked in: "Fair play, Chick ... He'll go all the way." With good humour in the course of a day long press conference - journalists sitting among the customers he recalled the bout with relish.
He told his protege before the fight: "You have a good right, a good lead. Use it!" After the bout, Barrett called to ask if the people of Galway were happy. He was more delighted about Michelle Smith's win than about his own and was thrilled that she was going to see him box.
What next? "I have told Francis, gold. I told him gold. I have enough silver at home", says the manager. He believes it, too, having wagered £50 at 100 to one that Barrett will prevail.
