March 9th – Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, was a special guest of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) at the High Performance Boxing Unit today at the National Stadium.
The Minister visited the home of Irish boxing to mark the milestone of 150 days to go to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Fergal Carruth, CEO of the IABA, officially welcomed Minister Michael Ring to the National Stadium and praised the Minister for his ‘massive contribution’ to the development of both grass roots and High Performacne boxing and thanked him for his continued support of Irish boxing.
The High Performance squad are currently in training at the National Stadium gym in the build-up towards next month’s European Olympic qualifiers in Samsun, Turkey.
Minster Ring addressed the entire squad and coaches and complimented Irish boxing on bringing so much pride to the nation through their continued success at international competition. He continued on to say that the Athletes were a ‘source of inspiration’ to so many and he was in no doubt, this unrivaled success story would continue.
The Minster, who was greeted by a whole host of Irish boxing stars including Olympic champion Katie Taylor, World Elite champion Michael Conlan, European Elite Champion Joe Ward, two-time Olympic Bronze Medallist Paddy Barnes and the entire Irish Elite squad this afternoon. The Minister gave special praise to the Irish coaching staff and hailed all the great work that the IABA volunteers contribute to their communities throughout Ireland. He also noted the tremendous work by both, IABA President, Pat Ryan and CEO, Fergal Carruth. Also in attendance were IABA Directors, Des Fitzgerald and Ciaran Kirwan.
Minister Ring wished the Irish Elite team the very best of luck at the upcoming 35th Gee Bee Multi-Nations which begins in Helsinki, Finland on Friday and for the very important year ahead culminating in the Rio Olympic Games.