BILLY WALSH has resigned from his position as Head Coach of Ireland’s High Performance Unit. He will take up a post with USA Boxing, initially with their women’s team.
The announcement comes days after the Irish team, under Walsh’s guidance, achieved stellar results at the men’s World championships in Doha, where Michael Conlan won gold, Joe Ward silver and Michael O’Reilly bronze.
In a statement Fergul Carruth, CEO of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, commented: “Billy has been part of a team within the High Performance Unit since its inception in 2003. We would like to thank him for the tremendous hard work and dedication he has brought to the role and acknowledge his contribution to the great success of the Unit and its boxers. Along with the other coaching members and support staff of the High Performance Unit, the focus, professionalism and dedication brought by Billy to his role as Head Coach, has enabled the winning structures to be put in place, which has allowed our elite boxers reach their highest potential on the World and Olympic stages.
“On behalf of the IABA, I would like to reassure boxing fans that the exceptionally high skill levels of boxing being taught throughout the clubs of Ireland continue to nurture the rich talent required to succeed at the highest level. This conveyor belt of boxing talent will continue to be developed and coached by the dedicated High Performance Unit team, and the IABA is confident of the continuing success of our elite boxing athletes as they prepare for next year’s Olympic Games.”
What’s clear though is that Ireland’s loss is US boxing’s gain.
