Keegan putting punch into Institute of Sport

Gary Keegan created the blueprint for the emergence of Ireland as a world force in amateur boxing, so it is no surprise that when his time with IABA came to an end, he would be earmarked to apply his expertise and energy to the country’s entire sporting environment.

He has taken to the task as Director of the Irish Institute of Sport with relish and the results are evident. Despite only accepting the ‘A’ qualifying standard for selection this year, the Olympic Council of Ireland will send a bigger team to London than to Beijing four years ago.

At numerous press events over the past month, athlete after athlete has referred to the support network provided by the institute in any number of sectors, ranging from strength and conditioning to nutrition to developing life skills.