Sir, – It is very sad to see the departure of Billy Walsh from Irish boxing. For two decades he has influenced the extraordinary performance of Ireland’s boxers on the world stage, where we have consistently punched above our weight.
Surely, as taxpayers who fund the sport, we are owed a detailed explanation as to why this individual talent is now lost to Irish boxing. He is the most successful indigenous Irish coach in any international sporting discipline, with European and world success. It would appear we are yet again embroiled in a situation where his talents go unrecognised because of our particular Irish inability to reward success. – Yours, etc,
DEREK MacHUGH,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – RTÉ's Six-One News on October 19th had Billy Walsh's resignation as its lead story. It was dealt with later on in the programme, and also in the sports report. A bit excessive surely? – Yours, etc,
LIAM DUNNE,
Cork.
Sir, – Our national boxing coach has resigned, having achieved great things in his post. He has been offered what is probably a better-paid and and better-resourced job in the United States. It’s called furthering your career. Lots of people do it every day of the week. It doesn’t make national media headlines. Let’s take the punch and get up off the canvas. It is not a national tragedy. – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN QUINN,
Enniscrone,
Co Sligo.