Boxing is on the road to recovery — but there’s still work to be done. That’s the view of Irish National Performance Director Jon Mackey ahead of the team’s departure to Brazil for the World Boxing Cup. @WillDalton01 | #VMSport

🎧ICYMI on @rte2fm with @SDawsonSport & @Ruby_Walsh: 🏟️Weekend Highlights 🥊@JonMackey14 on World Champs medals 🎽#WorldAthleticsChamps with @KATIE_kirky 🏉@LynchChopper on Ireland's @rugbyworldcup exit ⚽️@StephenKelly_2 & @alancaw on PL, LOI, FAI Cup rte.ie/radio/2fm/2fm-game-on…

Ireland’s three medallists were among the Team Ireland squad that was welcomed home from the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool

They've arrived! Team Ireland have landed in Liverpool and are en route to their World Boxing Championship tournament base. They'll have a light shake-out session this evening, and will prepare for tomorrow's draw. 500 boxers from 60 federations are contesting these championships, the first at which men and women will vie for World gold, together. Boxing at the M&S Arena takes place September 4th to 14th and you can watch live on Eurovision Sport: eurovisionsport.com/en/media…

Yesterday’s final day of the Team Ireland @RealWorldBoxing sparring camp in Sheffield. Team Ireland have returned home to taper, after spending 10 days sparring among 18 federations and 144 boxers. There’s just 7 days to go until the first bell at the World Boxing Championships at the M&S Arena, Liverpool.

With up to 40 Paris Olympians competing at @RealWorldBoxing Championship - Team Ireland's Grainne Walsh the boxing with be top class. Grainne, herself a Paris Olympian, is representing Ireland at 65kg and is finishing up her camp alongside 144 boxers from 18 nations in Sheffield. 17 Team Ireland boxers will be among 500 from 60 nations vying for the top of the podium at the M&S Arena from September 4th For tickets (£15 adults, £5 concessions), news & the full competition schedule go to worldboxingliverpool.com

Team Ireland’s Team Co-Captains for @RealWorldBoxing Championships have been named and are: Adam Hession of Monivea Boxing Club, Galway, and Aoife O’Rourke of Castlerea BC, Roscommon. Aoife is a four-time continental champion and a double Olympian; while Adam is a former Olympic Federation of Ireland Paris Scholar. Adam is no stranger to Team Captaincy, having held the role at the 76th Strandja Memorial Tournament in February – coming home with bronze, to boot. Adam and Aoife will represent Ireland at the World Boxing Championship Opening Ceremony. The Co-Captains were collectively by the 17 boxers gearing-up to contest the championships. They are among 144 boxers from 18 federations putting the finishing touches to their preparations at a training camp at GB Boxing’s Olympic Training Centre in Sheffield. Federations taking part include: USA, Kazakhstan, India, Germany, England, France, Poland, Canada, Korea, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Philippines, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Kosovo and Slovakia. For tickets (£15 adults, £5 concessions), news and the full competition schedule go to worldboxingliverpool.com More here: iaba.ie/hession-orourke-to-c…

Team Ireland has departed for Sheffield, and a multi-nations camp ahead of the World Boxing Championships in September. 144 boxers from 18 nations are participating in this camp, taking place at GB Boxing’s headquarters in Sheffield. In addition to Ireland, nations include: USA, Kazakhstan, India, Germany, England, France, Poland, Canada, Korea, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Philippines, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Kosovo and Slovakia. High Performance Director, Jon Mackey, says "Our preparations for the World Boxing Championships have so far included a 7 week bloc of training in the High Performance Unit, a domestic sparring camp with Hungary and Norway, and attending a multi-nations sparring camp in Germany. This 10 day Sheffield camp is the final part of our preparations, and the quality of sparring there will be superb - steel sharpens steel. I've been impressed by the professionalism, discipline and commitment shown by all 17 members of the team. They are where they need to be in terms of their readiness." More here: iaba.ie/team-ireland-depart-…

Last pre-camp training session done ✅ The #TeamIreland World Boxing Championships team have completed their last pre-camp training session in the High Performance Unit. They fly to Sheffield on Monday for a multi-nations camp, with 19 days to go until the first bell in Liverpool

A question inspired by a conversation I had earlier. Can ecological dynamics exist without Gibson’s theory of direct perception? Or, is Gibson’s theory what makes it “ecological”? Anyone fancy taking that on?

And, they're off✈️ 9 members of the Team Ireland World Boxing Championship team have jetted off to Heidleburg, Germany today for a prepartory multi-nations sparring camp. While at home in the High Peformance Unit today, test-matches will take place between Team Ireland, Hungary and Norway. The teams are visiting for a four day sparring camp, as part of Team Ireland's #roadtoliverpool

Huge congratulations to #UCDSPHPSS MSc Coaching Science in Sport alumnus, Jon Mackey, for being appointed as National Performance Director for Irish Boxing for the LA2028 Olympic cycle. Fantastic appointment and we wish you every success Jon! rte.ie/sport/boxing/2025/051… @JonMackey14

Performance Director Jon Mackey has paid tribute to boxing clubs throughout the Association: “The work that’s being done at club level is paramount to the success of the high-performance unit. Boxers don’t come to the high-performance unit unpolished, they come at a very high standard. I think that needs to be recognised and I think it is recognised."

IABA is delighted to announce the appointment of Jon Mackey as National Performance Director for the LA2028 Cycle, following a highly competitive international recruitment process. Boxing is Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport, having won 19 of Team Ireland’s 42 medals, including Kellie Harrington’s unprecedented defence of her Tokyo 2020 gold at Paris 2024. Jon joins IABA from Canoeing Ireland, where he has led a burgeoning programme through two Olympic cycles, culminating in the qualification of four boats for the Canoe Slalom event the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – an historic achievement. National Performance Director, Jon Mackey says “"It’s a huge privilege to take up the role of Performance Director with the IABA.  I’m looking forward to working alongside an experienced and driven staff and a fantastic team of hard-working boxers, both at the High Performance Unit in Abbottstown and within the Ulster programme. I’m very much looking forward to getting started and meeting everyone, and to forming a productive relationship with Central Council and IABA’s boxing clubs aimed at furthering the sport. Boxing holds a unique place in Ireland’s Olympic story — consistently our most successful sport on the biggest stage. Together, we’ll aim to honour that legacy by pushing standards, supporting our boxers, and continuing to deliver when it matters most." More here⬇️ iaba.ie/jon-mackey-appointed…

What a Difference Six Years Makes: Paddle Sports Performance Funding Jumps From €40k in 2019 to €475k in 2025 afloat.ie/watersport/canoein…

One of the most thought provoking conversations I’ve had within the world of coaching and skill acquisition. Thanks to @JobFran3 for sharing his knowledge and insights - it was an eye opener. open.spotify.com/episode/0Yj…

Some weekend listening for interested coaches and skill acquisition folk: @Mr_Tennis_Coach Philip O Callaghan shares his views on leveraging principles from nonlinear pedagogy to inform his practice. open.spotify.com/episode/1r0…

There’s a good message in this. Although, I think she’s conflating block practice with constant practice. All that aside there are some performances which require prep through constant practice. Taekwondo-Do and Japanese Karate tul/kata is one example. As always, context matters.