Sport Ireland should box clever with unit
SHOULD he have the stomach for the looming battles, Bernard Dunne could emerge from them a strong figure within Irish boxing.
It was claimed the other day that the new high performance director of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association has been ‘sold a pup’, and it is difficult to counter that.
However, and acknowledging that history teaches us not to presume too much, it seems as if this ridiculous organisation is finally to answer for its dysfunction. The junior Minister for Sport has not been an inspirational figure in his role, but his anger with the IABA was palpable after the events of recent days.
The frustration of John Treacy, the chief executive of Sport Ireland, was obvious, too, but these two men need to stop venting and start acting.
Until the IABA rights itself, the administration of the boxing high performance unit should fall directly to Sport Ireland. That is surely preferable to another dramatic course of action that has been suggested, which is to withdraw funding entirely.
That action would punish innocent athletes, more than hapless administrators, and it is the latter cohort that needs attention. There have been enough threats and there has been too much talking urging boxing to fix itself.
In Dunne, there is the ideal figurehead to lead a rejuvenated high performance system. He must be allowed to try.