A historical development in the Irish Amateur Boxing Association was copper-fastened at the National Stadium in South Circular Road on Saturday when a new Deed of Trust was approved and a five-man board of trustees was appointed. The deed must be referred to the High Court for ratification but widespread euphoria was evident as the president of the IABA, Breandan O Conaire, announced that the proposal was being passed without opposition.
For several years the boxing association has been riven by disputes over who controls amateur boxing in Ireland.
The document of trustees means that every aspect of Irish amateur boxing will be under the direct control of the central council of the IABA and its membership throughout the country.
Several stalwarts of Irish boxing expressed their delight. Joe Kirwan, a vice-president of the association, described the development as a "red letter day" for the association.
This sentiment was echoed around the meeting but elements of the past arose as members sought to be certain that mistakes were being set aside and that a new area was dawning.
Control of all amateur boxing in the North and in the Republic is now vested in the elected membership of the standing committee and central council, which are answerable only to the annual general meeting of the association. Previously, a group of self-appointed trustees made decisions without reference to members of the association.
O Conaire congratulated members for their patience and determination. O Conaire said the association possesses a valuable property on the South Circular Road and that any changes must be considered on a commercial and open basis.
One delegate addressing the meeting said "we have a huge asset here and it needs an enormous effort by all of us to make it work. That gives all of us a responsibility and we have to look forward to a new situation in sport which requires completely commercial attitude to the future if Irish amateur boxing is to survive and prosper". A new treasurer was appointed following the resignation of Jim Hunt, a member of the Irish Army who is going on duty in Lebanon. He has been replaced by Sean Horkan from Castlebar, who beat Dominic Kiernan from Waterford by 138 votes to 80.
Also appointed to the standing committee were Sean Canavan, Austin Carruth, Christy McKenna, Tony Mahony, Martin Power, Gerry Storey, Frank Ward, John Walsh and Tom Fox.
It appears, however, that Tom Fox will not be allowed to take a seat on the standing committee because he is also a trustee. Liam Cunningham from the Saints Club in Ballymena, Pat O'Donnell from the Dockers Club in Belfast, Terry Carlyle from the Sacred Heart Club, Eugene McEnaney from Dealgan, Francis Barrett from the Olympic Club, Frank O'Brien from Ballyduff, Adrian Sheerin from Swinford and John Kiely from Limerick comprise the Irish team to travel to Copenhagen to take on a Danish selection on November 8th.