Tears and Tributes – the Twitter reaction to Billy Walsh’s departure from Team Ireland
The Irish boxing community was shocked today with the news that High Performance Unit Head Coach Billy Walsh has resigned from his position with the IABA to take up a role with the US Women’s Boxing team.
While the move had long been threatened, many thought that Walsh would stay following Ireland’s record-breaking performance at the recent World Championships.
Many took to Twitter in the aftermath of the announcement to let their feelings be known
Irish boxers themselves were disappointed
291days til Rio & Billy Walsh sadly leaves our most successful team after 8months of negotiating with IABA #BIGLOSS
http://t.co/x6ez7od5GL
— Darren O'Neill (@DarrenONeil) October 19, 2015
I'm absolutely gutted with news billy Walsh has left Ireland
— anto connolly (@antoceltic67) October 19, 2015
Many wished the Wexford man well
Mad to hear Bill Walsh has decided to leave Irish boxing, I wish him all the best in his new venture, I'm sure it will be a successful one
— Steven Ward (@Stevenward_) October 19, 2015
@LoveIrishBoxing very surprised especially after teams performance at the world's wish him the very best of luck the man has family to feed
— niall kennedy (@boomboombaz13) October 19, 2015
Good luck to Billy Walsh in his new venture. Disappointing that he is going after doing some fantastic work. The team though is still strong
— Bernard Dunne (@Bernard_Dunne) October 19, 2015
& will move on from here to even more successes in our No 1 sport. Countdown to Rio slows down for no one and our boxers must stay focused👊
— Bernard Dunne (@Bernard_Dunne) October 19, 2015
Although some felt quite angry about the ordeal
Very sad to here Irish boxing have lost billy Walsh! The best coach iv ever worked wit no questioning that @IABABOXING should be shamed
— John Joe Nevin (@johnJoeNevin) October 19, 2015
Shocked and sad to hear Billy Walsh has resigned,wishing him all the best in the future. The I.A.B.A is a disgrace !!!
— con sheehan (@consheehan89) October 19, 2015
@KevooByrne Very selfish of Walsh Olympics only around the corner… Could have stuck it out till the at least for the lads.. #MoneyTalks
— Sean Turner (@BigSexyboxer) October 19, 2015
The Irish media have largely laid the blame at the feet of the IABA
Hearty congratulations to the IABA. Got what they always wanted. Can't say I'm surprised though, never come across a thicker governing body.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 19, 2015
Sad day for Irish sport. Only the IABA can explain how they left Billy Walsh with no alternative but to resign #boxing
— Sean McGoldrick (@SeanMcGoldrick1) October 19, 2015
Billy Walsh has resigned as head coach of IABA's HPU to take up a post with USA Women's Boxing. Staggering it was allowed get this far.
— Kevin Byrne (@KevooByrne) October 19, 2015
Billy Walsh will take up a post with the USA Women's Boxing Team. Shame on the IABA. Shame on them.
— Chris McNulty (@chrismcnulty86) October 19, 2015
Billy Walsh resigns as head of the High Performance Unit with #irishboxing. What a disaster and a disgrace it was allowed to happen
— Conall Ó Fátharta (@ococonuts) October 19, 2015
Stunned that Billy Walsh has resigned. Knew this was a real prospect, but thought issues could have been resolved. Sad that it came to this
— David Mohan (@DavidMohan99) October 19, 2015
The RTÉ top brass paid tribute to Ireland’s medal mastermind
Shocked to hear of Billy Walsh's resignation as Irish Boxing Coach. Can somebody not do something ? A Legend & clearly a brilliant Coach.
— Marty Morrissey (@MartyM_RTE) October 19, 2015
What a sad day for Irish sport. Billy Walsh is one of the most decent & professional people I have dealt with. Not sure he can be replaced
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) October 19, 2015
And Irish celebrities even weighed in
Dear Irish Sport. We need to hold onto coaches of this ability in our country. http://t.co/oAGQJFvMc0
— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) October 19, 2015
The mood was perhaps best summed up by SunSport’s Kevin Byrne:
Billy Walsh at least has gone out in a high. Awful shame though it couldn't have been after topping the medals table in Rio…or Tokyo
— Kevin Byrne (@KevooByrne) October 19, 2015
