Solicitor steps into chair at boxing body
Solicitor Ciaran Kirwan is the new chair of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) replacing Joe Christle who has stepped down after serving a four-year term in the office and a previous four as a board member.
New rule book
Former Irish Senior Heavyweight Boxing champion Joe Christle has overseen significant changes in the IABA including the adoption of a new rule book and full implementation of the recommendations of the review that followed the Rio Olympics. A new high-performance training centre has also been established at the National Sports Campus.
Kirwan has been a director of the IABA since 2015. He is a qualified solicitor and is managing partner at Margetson and Greene solicitors.
The IABA board comprises seven individuals, four of whom are nominated from the central council of the IABA with the remaining three appointed by the outgoing chair based on the skills and experience required.
Honour
Ciaran Kirwan said: “It is a huge honour to take over as Chairman of the IABA having been engrossed by the sport since a young age.
“I do however want to acknowledge the immense contribution that Joe Christle has made to the IABA during his time as Chairperson, sometimes in challenging circumstances whilst also balancing personal and professional demands. A former national champion Joe was driven by a real passion for boxing.
Lasting legacy
“There is no doubt that both the IABA and the sport of boxing is better for his input. He leaves a lasting legacy.
"I look forward to continuing his efforts, working in partnership with the IABA president Dominic O’Rourke, central council, our CEO Fergal Carruth and the entire staff to further build on our legacy as Ireland's most successful Olympic sport whilst increasing the opportunity for people right around the country to get involved in amateur boxing."