Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

His biggest problem was that he became too successful. I certainly know that one is never regarded as a prophet in one's own land. I got to know Billy Walsh at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988. Over the years since, I have found him to be a very humble, proud and brilliant leader in our sports community. He is the ultimate professional. He leaves no stone unturned in his preparation. His high-performance structures in Ireland are the envy of the rest of the world. He has gained trust among the boxers and that is very hard to do. He has gained the trust of the Irish Sports Council over the years and, in particular, the trust of the fans. He does not have an ego. He allows his results to dictate. The biggest problem is that he hurt the ego of the green blazers. He became too big in their eyes and they had to take him down and wear him out.

We, as taxpayers, have funded the IABA to the tune of many millions of euro over the past eight, nine or ten years. Why did we do this? While the money was well spent, it was because we produced world, Olympic and European champions. It was also because we had a high-performance coach in Billy Walsh who was not even given the opportunity to be called the high-performance director - something he wanted. He wanted to bring his team around but those in the IABA would do it. Like Senator Mooney, I question the systems that exist in the IABA. It does not want to give Billy Walsh the power. It does not want to give the Irish Sports Council the opportunity to dictate terms to it, so it is time to review and to question funding and the IABA's ability. There is an old motto, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The IABA's motto is, "If it ain't broken, let's break it." Yesterday was a sad day. It was the biggest fight Billy Walsh had to go into and, sadly, it was against his own organisation. I wish him well because the IABA drained him and forced him to throw in the towel. I know that when he goes to the US, he will be welcomed with open arms, revered and respected but I know that at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, if there is an American fighting against an Irish person, his heart and soul will be with that Irishman and Irishwoman.