Kellie Harrington: Cuts to boxing funding would be 'a very big mistake'

The IABA has been threatened with funding cuts if it doesn't implement reform, Harrington knows that slashing the sport’s funding could spell disaster for Irish amateur boxers

Kellie Harrington (Boxing) pictured today with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, following her announcement as Sports Ambassador for Dublin City Council. The partnership sees Dublin City Council (DCC) teaming up with the two local sports stars to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity in Dublin, while highlighting the importance of a wide and varied sporting infrastructure for a healthy and happy city. You can find out more about DCC’s sport and recreation programmes, services and facilities here: https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/sports-and-leisure https://www.dcswphub.ie ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

For Kellie Harrington, this has an all-too-familiar feel. Yet another High-Performance Director – adored and respected by Ireland’s best boxers – walking away from his position, disillusioned by the internal politics of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA).

And as great as the recent medal rush has been, the Olympic champion hopes it’s not something that’s used to “paper over the cracks” with the sport’s national governing body.