Niamh Walsh has revealed how she and Olympic medallist Kenny Egan are in the early days of a new romance.

The model, who split with her previous boyfriend in the summer, told the Herald they are taking it extremely slowly, and joked that the Clondalkin boxer has built up something of a reputation for himself outside the boxing ring.

They have been friends for more than a year, since meeting through their mutual pal, the late Darren Sutherland, and Niamh said the sparks flew as soon as they were both single.

Reputation

"Yes, I suppose we are seeing each other, but it's very early days and I'm just newly single, so I don't want to get into anything too quickly," she said.

"When I broke up with my ex-boyfriend, Kenny and I did kind of start seeing each other, but I wouldn't say we're officially going out or anything like that.

"Besides, his reputation precedes him," she laughed.

Kenny even made an appearance at Niamh's recent 25th birthday party recently at the Wright venue, where the two were photographed looking very cosy.

At the time, Niamh refused to confirm or deny rumours that the pair were an item, joking that all women love him.

The high-profile Dubliners partied the night away in the exclusive VIP Scarface suite, which costs a staggering €2,500 a night to rent, alongside none other than proprietor of the venue Michael Wright.

The pictures later sparked bookmakers, Paddy Power to place odds of 12/1 on the pair to be the first celebrity couple to have a baby next year.

Niamh said: "We both thought it was hilarious. I don't know where these things come from.

"We're not even officially going out, let alone planning babies or anything like that."

Kenny is no stranger to celebrity pairings, given that he has been linked with a string of beauties in the past year.

Among those previously romanced by the Clondalkin sportsman was controversial former army lieutenant Collette McBarron, beautiful brunette Tara Fitzgerald, whom he brought to the RTE Sports Awards, and, of course, Karen Sullivan, his girlfriend at the time of his Olympic win.

Impact

But Niamh said the one-time party-boy has mended his ways and now avoids media attention at all costs.

The blonde beauty went on to explain how the absence of their late friend Darren still has an enormous impact on both their lives.

"Myself and Darren were really close -- I knew him from years ago in school," she said. "I also worked with him on a couple of charity photocalls in the past couple of years, as did Kenny.

"We're still really feeling the loss. I just don't know how his family are going to cope. It was a terrible tragedy but luckily they are a strong family."