Minister for Sport says IABA have no grounds to complain and wishes Barnes luck as a pro!

Minister of State for Sport Michael Ring said the IABA have no grounds on which to complain as he defended the Government’s funding of amateur boxing.

Funding amongst other things has be raised in recent weeks with regard to Irish amateur boxing as a number of high profile names have expressed an interest in turning pro.

However, the Minister has defended the funding given to the one sport in which Ireland deliver success at the highest stage.

Speaking about funding for Ireland’s most successful Olympic Sport Minster Ring said,

“When I came into office in 2011 the Government allocated €1.2 million to make sure facilities could be upgraded nationwide. This year boxing received an additional €1 million apart from the money it receives from the Irish Sports Council.”

The Minster also bizarrely wished two time Olympic medal winner Paddy Barnes luck in his professional career, despite the fact the Belfast man hasn’t turned over.
“I hope he does as well as a professional boxer as he did with the Irish Sports Council, because he has received a substantial amount of money from taxpayers.’’

“I wish him the very best of luck,’’ Mr Ring added. “He did his country proud and we were delighted with him.’’