The Rocky Road

JON MACKEY explains his plans to get Irish boxing firing for the Los Angeles Olympics in the second part of his interview with Kevin Byrne on The Rocky Road.

Boxing Ireland’s High Performance Director reveals why he scrapped a selection system described by boxers and coaches as “toxic and sterile” and put the National Elite Championships back at the heart of the process.

He discusses the tight rivalry between Daina Moorehouse and Caitlin Fryers and how the new points system gives club boxers a clear route into the Ireland squad.

Mackey also addresses the lack of depth in some weight divisions and explains how a new Pathway Lead will help ensure late developers are not overlooked.

There is a look at the “breakthrough clause” that could bring teenage world Under-19 champion John Donoghue into the senior reckoning, plus the possibility of professional boxers returning to the amateur ranks.

And Mackey sets out what Ireland’s Olympic hopefuls face as they bid to qualify for LA 2028.

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JON MACKEY tackles Michael Conlan’s criticism of Irish boxing in the first of a two-part interview with Kevin Byrne on The Rocky Road.

Speaking at the Sport Ireland Institute, Boxing Ireland’s High Performance Director discusses the problems he inherited in April 2025, the disconnect between coaching and sports science and why Ireland’s male boxers have struggled to win medals.

Mackey spent nearly eight years as Canoeing Ireland’s Performance Director and led national kickboxing teams, but his roots are in Dublin’s inner-city boxing clubs.

He gives his account of long-serving head coach Zaur Antia’s departure for Team USA and discusses whether complacency crept in after Rio.

And he explains why interim head coach Damian Kennedy wants Ireland’s boxers on the front foot rather than waiting for opponents to make their move.

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Today on The Rocky Road, we are joined for the first time by Gary Stewart, CEO of Boxing Ireland (formerly the IABA). Originally from Cumbria, Gary's lifelong passion for sport eventually led him to Ireland after meeting his Wicklow wife, and he has recently celebrated the birth of his second son. Bringing a wealth of experience from Sport Ireland and a transformative tenure as CEO of Volleyball Ireland, Gary steps into Irish boxing with serious energy, seeing untapped potential across every corner of the sport.

In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss why key structural moves - such as introducing a dedicated Pathway Development Lead and making the Elite Championships effectively mandatory for squad selection - are crucial first steps for the association. Gary opens up about the ambition to bring major international tournaments back to Irish shores, exploring how a vibrant calendar can help retain top young talent against the pull of professional promoters. We also dive into tapping new revenue streams, elevating the sport's national profile and his push to bring Irish amateur boxing back to free-to-air terrestrial television. Finally, we tackle the realities of grassroots funding, why every club in Ireland should consider applying for the Community Sport Facilities Fund, some of the flaws in the current application model and how Boxing Ireland is lobbying the Government for long-term operational support.

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Actor, fighter, and storyteller Brendan Kelly sits down with Kevin Byrne on the Rocky Road Boxing Podcast for part one of a wide-ranging, raw conversation. Brendan reflects on his early years growing up in a fighting family, stepping into the ring as a 16-year-old at Chino State Prison and his time boxing on the Irish team out of the Drimnagh Boxing Club alongside Joe Egan and Billy Walsh.

Brendan shares incredible first-hand stories about what it was really like to spar a prime, terrifying Mike Tyson before the Spinks fight - no headgear, no ref, and no safe spaces. Plus, he discusses his surreal pivot into high fashion modeling for Giorgio Armani in Milan, the tragedy and toughness of 80s boxing legends like Evander Holyfield and Roberto Durán, and how his real-life experiences working security alongside New York’s notorious Westies gang shaped his book, Occupation Gangster.

Stick with us for Part 2 - when Brendan hits Hollywood to star in movies such as Con Air and The Rock, and HBO drama Oz, before becoming a bounty hunter amd advocate for at-risk kids.

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We’re joined by Jay Byrne of JB Boxing Promotions — and there is plenty to discuss.

Dublin has enjoyed a boxing boom this summer, beginning with Byrne’s show at Leopardstown in July and concluding at the National Stadium on September 27, when Paul Loonam faces Ruadhan Farrell for the Irish super-bantamweight title.

In between, promotional heavyweights Queensberry, Zuffa Boxing and Matchroom have all visited the capital, staging shows that showcased the good, the bad and the ugly of boxing.

We discuss the strength of Irish women’s boxing following Katie Taylor’s retirement after her Croke Park swansong; what legacy — if any — the event at GAA HQ will leave; who can carry the torch for Irish boxing and lead us back to Jones’ Road; and where the next generation of television stars might emerge after RTÉ screened Taylor v Flora Pili, its first live professional boxing broadcast in 15 years.

We also address fighter safety. Jay’s brother Glenn was forced to retire after suffering a brain bleed following his fight with William Crolla in April. Then, in August, the boxing community was horrified when Lee Reeves suffered the same injury against Gary Cully at the 3Arena.

Is boxing becoming less safe — and, if so, why? Jay shares his theories about what is going wrong.

Plus, we preview Judgment Day, JB Boxing Promotions’ next show at the home of Irish boxing.

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