AmateurHeadline News

Bernard Dunne planning to “get the very best” from Irish boxers and new base

Bernard Dunne was this morning announced as the new High Performance Director for the Irish Athletic Boxing Association.

The former Senior champion and top pro was unanimously chosen by the IABA recruitment panel following an extensive series of interviews.

The 37 year old, who will leave his post as a Performance and Lifestyle Coach with Dublin GAA for the role, starts officially in the job on Monday May 8th, but will be present at the National Stadium over the weekend for the International Senior Elite Round Robin.

In addition to this morning’s announcement, it was also confirmed that the Irish High Performance Unit will be relocating permanently to the new National Sports Campus in Abbottstown for all training.

Speaking today at the state of the art facility, Dunne outlined that “my vision is to take the very best in the current system and match it with the very latest in high-performance training so that our men and women can perform and win at European, World and Olympic level.”

“Their attitude, commitment and work ethics are equally as important as their talents. So, I will be working with the boxers and the coaches to get the very best from their training regimes, diets, as well as their physical, mental and all round development.”

IABA CEO Fergal Carruth added that “we are confident that Bernard and the rest of the High-Performance Team are now well placed to maximise the conveyor belt of talent that exists in Irish boxing evidenced by the continued success of our youth boxers in international competition.”

Sport Ireland chairman Kieran Mulvey backed the appointment, and said that “on behalf of Sport Ireland I would like to congratulate Bernard on his appointment. Bernard brings with him a wealth of experience in both the amateur and professional environment, and is the ideal candidate to lead Ireland’s boxing programme as we enter the Tokyo 2020 cycle.”

“Boxing has traditionally been one of Ireland’s most successful sports and we look forward to even more success under Bernard’s leadership long into the future.”

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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