Conor McGregor leads tributes to the electrifying pride of Ireland, Katie Taylor

Game respects game.

Punchers respect punchers. The Irish just never stop. There really is something special about this little island of ours. Something where a man from Crumlin can think of making mixed martial arts history and a woman from Bray can contemplate changing the landscape of boxing forever. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/797836152208261120 Conor McGregor is a history-maker and Katie Taylor is a legend. The pair aren't interested in resting on their laurels though even after all the two of them have achieved. The Irish fighting duo could retire tomorrow and live out the rest of their lives content in the knowledge that they shook the world and inspired a generation - and maybe even more generations to come. But for people like Taylor and McGregor, there's always something else. There's always another dream to chase and there's always another impossible to make possible. The most iconic female boxer in the world started a new journey on Saturday and she started it with serious aplomb. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/802636511531372545 Her maiden voyage into the professional ranks was a rousing success with Karina Kopinska finished off inside three gruesome rounds. Taylor took the plaudits again - she's well used to them by now - but this meant something more. This is a new start for women's boxing and everyone recognises the significance of what the Bray native is trying to do. That's why she's back out again in two weeks. Conor McGregor appreciates what's happening. He can almost taste the history again. The takeover. https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/802637446659903488 And, like ripples in a pond, non-believers convert. They raise their eyebrows, they turn their heads, they watch on for a little longer than they normally would. Because of Katie Taylor. Because of Ireland's finest. https://twitter.com/jamesdegale1/status/802631974477250560 More legends chimed in and doffed their caps. https://twitter.com/AP_McCoy/status/802634603722723328 The world is taking notice. https://twitter.com/TonyBellew/status/802633892712759296 The world is in awe. https://twitter.com/StephanieRoche9/status/802635009492254720 https://twitter.com/Darransull86/status/802633068515180544 https://twitter.com/TommyBowe14/status/802633061439442945 https://twitter.com/NickyByrne/status/802637454767521793 Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.