Coach behind 79 World and European underage medals leaves IABA
The IABA have lost another successful and high profile coach.
National Youth Coach Billy McClean has left the Irish Athletic Boxing Association according to reports in the Irish Independent.
Respected journalist Sean McGoldrick revealed the successful coach and the IABA have parted company.
The reason behind McClean’s decision to move on hasn’t been shared, but his absence will be felt.
Social media just told me Billy McClean has resigned as head coach for the National @IABABOXING youth team. Anyone know why? Billy had global success over tenure. Wonder who’ll take over. 2008 Olympian John Joe Joyce is a clear winner in my eyes @sportireland
— Darren O’Neill OLY (@DarrenONeil) September 27, 2020
As National Youth Head Coach, a role he took up in 2011, McClean has overseen 10 underage World Championships medal wins, as well as 69 European podium finishes. Of those 79 medals won 12 were gold.
McClean has also played a part in the development of some sensational young talent in recent years, some of which have gone pro, some of which are emerging as genuine senior talents.
Indeed, the most recent National Elites saw a host of teenage talents claim first senior titles.
McClean’s departure follows that of now American head coach Billy Walsh and Eddie Bolger, who is working with Team Germany in recent years.
AIBA Three-Star coach, boss at St Brigid’s Edenderry, Liam Brereton is another to be coveted abroad, last year he joined up with the Sierra Leone National Team ahead of the qualifiers for the Games in Tokyo.
