BILLY WALSH HAS resigned as head coach of the IABA’s High Performance Unit less than a week after guiding his team to three medals at the World Championships.
Walsh’s future has been the centre of attention since last month, when the news broke that the IABA had not ratified a deal to keep him in Ireland.
Walsh will now move to Colorado, where he is to work with the USA’s women’s boxing team ahead of the Olympics in 2016.
In a statement released this morning Walsh confirmed his departure with immediate effect, citing the IABA’s reluctance to ratify his long-term deal.
“Since February of this year I have been engaged in a process with the IABA to secure my future as Head Coach with the High Performance Unit and senior team. A protracted process that went on for eight months included numerous high level meetings that resulted in various proposals.
“In August a fair proposal was developed under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council (ISC) that was acceptable and fair but then not subsequently ratified by IABA.
“I was hopeful in recent weeks that a final proposal arising out of an approach in late September by the IABA would lead to a successful conclusion but unfortunately it didn’t.
“Regrettably the IABA have not made it possible for me to continue on in the role as Head Coach of the High Performance Unit and senior team.”
Just days after Michael Conlan, Michael O’Reilly and Joe Ward all secured World Championship medals in Doha, Walsh has confirmed his move to the USA, having tendered his resignation to the IABA’s Chief Executive Fergal Carruth.
“While leaving the Irish Team has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, my sights are now firmly set on my future role with USA Boxing. It is a huge honor for me as a coach to receive the opportunity work with such an iconic sporting nation that is the USA.
“I am greatly looking forward to the opportunities ahead in bringing my expertise and experience to the USA Women’s Team as they prepare for success in Rio and beyond.”
The Wexford native has also masterminded seven Olympic medals, and it remains fitting that if he had to depart the Irish set-up, he did so after helping deliver Ireland’s first ever World Championship gold, which was won by Michael Conlan.
“In starting out on this journey back in 2003 our ambition was centered on building a sustainable system for Irish Boxing and I think we have achieved that. This has been achieved with the work of many excellent people including our outstanding club coaches who produce the pipeline of talent for us in high performance to work with.
“Our high performance coaching team contains some of the finest and hardworking coaches in the world, both those from international shores and homegrown. These coaches are part of the legacy of all the hard work it took to build this system.
“Zaur Antia, Jim Moore, Eddie Bolger, Pete Taylor, John Conlan, Billy McClean and Dmytri are well positioned to take my work and the work of the high performance programme forward and lead this senior team into Rio to compete for medals.
“I have the utmost faith and belief in them having worked alongside them for many years. I am certain our boxers will go to Rio in fantastic shape, ready to compete with the world’s best as the high performance structures are in place to ensure this.”
As recently as last week, IABA President Pat Ryan had indicated talks with Walsh were progressing.
Speaking to The42, he said: “It’s still in the negotiating room, but I’m very confident that the Irish Sports Council and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association will resolve this matter,” he said.
I wish Billy all the best in his new life abroad. Wexford will be a quieter place without him, the nation’s trophy cabinets will be lighter too. Sad, sad day for Irish sport, we will be coming up against fighters trained by him.
Can someone explain what happened here?
It doesn’t appear to be solely about money if he was happy with the sports council’s proposal but unhappy with IABA
Well it looks like this billy knows what the lads in the IABA are on and billy is not on a fraction of that. So billy has a chat with IABA and says I must be worth more than this. The lads in the IABA say we are more important than you get your paws off our purse. Billy walks away and a handful of lads win in the IABA.
The nation is at a loss because of this.
Lar, i think you nailed it.
Someone has to be held accountable.
What a loss to boxing a sport in which Ireland has excelled in over the years.
The mind boggles at the ineptitude of IABA officials
Wrong country Tony. The word accountable doesn’t exist here.
Was listening to Joe Duffy earlier and they had Mick Dowling, Michael Carruth and a very good friend of Billys. Apparently it was never to do with money, it was to do with the autonomy and vision he had to implement. Apparently deals had been reached a number of times only for IABA to row back on them a couple of days later….. just saying what I heard. Either way a huge loss to Irish boxing. A great servant to Irish sports throughout the years! and incredibly successful too! wishing him every success in his new role
IABA are going to regret this decision. The man has led Ireland to its most successful period ever in amateur boxing. Should have just paid the man what he deserved.
Bunch of absolute jokers. Eyes will roll over this.. And that will be about it..
Some people never know when to hold onto a good thing.
He will be a massive loss to Irish boxing
Rugby aside,Is there anything Irish sporting hierarchy can’t bollox up?
I don’t know a lot about boxing but it seems to me that he was a very successful coach, now they want to get rid of him. Reminds me of killing the goose that lays the golded eggs.
There is probably a jumped up idiot in admin who thinks he can do better.
No, there is a jumped-up idiot in Admin who doesn’t understand what the coach even does so figures he can be replaced easily with no loss…sure it’s only coaching!
What is wrong with this country. Everything is arseways. The talent is subject to the whim of political machination perpetrated in the main by chancers with brass necks who protect their greasy tills at the expense of the people who they are charged to assist. It’s a bloody joke. Thanks for everything Billy you’re better off in the States though we’re not.
what person wouldn’t do the deal to keep Billy? what a disaster.
Amateurs controlling a modern sports organisation where the high performers are full time athletes who need high performance management, is a recipe for this kind of stuff.
Will the Sports Council continue to pour taxpayers money into it, they will while the results continue but will the results continue, that’s the question.
There’s a lot more to all these sports at the highest levels than fitness and will to win.
Don’t people in suits make just great decisions on behalf of everyone……
This will go down well!
bye bye recent success
Best of luck Billy. Americas gain is Ireland’s massive loss. Wishing you great success for the future
Another Technical Knockout for dear old Éire.
Himself and E just couldn’t settle their differences. I hope Vince can get the next movie without him!
disgraceful
Wow the blazers in Ireland just won’t go away. Every sport has them. They should hang their heads in shame.
Could the Board of the IABA please explain why this has been allowed. These executives have a vast knowledge of business and sport. Someone will have to sit down with these people to get them to reverse their decision. It is a national disgrace.
I’m blaming Denis o Brien
He’ll be coaching female boxers in the states.
feckin suits
Too many glory hunters in suits in the IABA…. Getting too like the FAI for dic@heads … Let the coaches do what they do best, bring success to the country and getting young lads and girls off the streets
Interesting to see who his replacement is? Well known relative of someone perhaps?
Caruth
just make……
There is more to this story than meets the eye .
That’s a sporting catastrophe
This is a fu.king travesty. eejits.
If you look at who the Board of IABA is made up of its very surprising that they seemingly cocked up letting Walsh leave, until we hear their side, we have to believe Billy Walsh
Thats a really sh/t development.
Turn coat