Billy Walsh is widely regarded as one of Ireland's greatest ever sports coaches, but he may been soon leaving Irish shores.
The Wexford native has been in charge of an unprecedented period of success for Irish amateur boxing winning medals on a consistent basis at major international championships in recent years. This morning the Irish Independent and the Irish Sun report that Walsh is on the verge of leaving to move to a position with USA Boxing.
Both newspapers have reported that the Irish Sports Council were more than willing to match the financial package offered to Walsh by USA Boxing, but the pay rise was shot down by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association on Tuesday night.
Walsh has been in the corner for seven of Ireland's recent Olympic medalists including current champion Katie Taylor and two time medalist Paddy Barnes. He was in charge of Ireland's recent success at the European Championships where the team won two gold medals from Joe Ward and Michael Conlan along with a bronze won by Walsh's nephew Dean.
The potential departure comes less than a year from the Rio Olympics where may of Ireland's boxers were strong medal prospects including Taylor, Barnes and Conlan.
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