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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Kellie Harrington urges IABA to resolve High Performance vacancy 'ASAP' since Irish boxers will 'suffer' otherwise

Kellie Harrington insists Ireland's "suffering" elite boxers need a High Performance boss installed "ASAP" after the recent controversial departure of Bernard Dunne.

Ireland's Olympic gold medallist from Tokyo hopes that Dunne could still return to the role but, if he decides against it, she wants the IABA to sort out a new appointment to fulfil a crucial role for the high performance unit.

Asked to comment on the Government's demand that the IABA make the widespread structural changes demanded to keep vital funding, Harrington said: "I try not to get involved in all that because come here, it's been going on for years.

"It's basically the same s***, different day and I do think it needs to be sorted out, once and for all.

"What I do feel is that Bernard's position...it's such a pity now that Bernard is gone because he was absolutely fantastic.

"And he is needed there, or someone is needed there in that position so that the coaches can actually do their job and coach the boxers.

"The three staff, Bernard and two others who were there in High Performance, they've gone, it's just the coaches there.

"So we need someone to be put in that role ASAP and I would love if it was Bernard, I'd love if he said, 'You know what, I'll come back'.

"I don't think that's going to happen but it's just a pity because at the end of the day, the only ones who suffer are the boxers, and that's the truth."

Paralympic gold medallist, Ellen Keane (Swimming) and Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington (Boxing) have today been unveiled as the new Dublin City Council Sports Ambassadors as part of a new three-year deal. 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 (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

Meanwhile, Harrington is backing Irish pair Dylan Eagleson and Gabriel Dossen to finish the job and claim gold later today in the European Championships in Armenia.

Bangor teenager Eagleson, 19, takes on France's Bilal Bennama in his bantamweight final.

Galwegian Dossen, 22, faces Lewis Richardson of England in the middleweight decider.

The finals begin at 2pm Irish time. Eagleson's bout is third and Dossen's is ninth on the schedule.

"They have every chance of winning gold, they're performing very well out there and it's great to see a young team coming through now, especially on the men's side," said Harrington.

"So yeah, I think that they have every chance.

"It's fantastic for them, for all the hard work and sacrifice that they've put in for their clubs and their families and for Irish boxing, really, and it sets them up nicely coming into next year when we'll have the Olympic qualifiers.

"Regardless of whether they get a gold, by the way, their confidence is going to be up there heading into next year.

"But I have every faith in them. I've seen the lads training, they'll give it absolutely everything. They already have and I know the best is yet to come."

The 32-year-old is to be awarded the Freedom of Dublin City, along with feminist campaigner Ailbhe Smyth and psychologist Mary Aiken.

"I'm delighted, I'm honoured to be getting the freedom of the city," she said.

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