Dominic O'Rourke has been appointed as the new President of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA).
O'Rourke, who previously held the position from 2000 until 2010, succeeds Pat Ryan following the results of a postal ballot announced at the 2017 IABA Convention on Sunday.
Originally from Kildare, O’Rourke has been involved in boxing for more than 50 years and was previously the head coach at St. Michael’s Boxing Club in Athy.
Irish Boxing has experienced a turbulent period of late, with Sport Ireland issuing a funding-cut ultimatum to IABA in June, on account of concerns with the organisation's governance.
IABA central council member Paddy Barnes Snr called on former President Ryan at the time, to "take full responsibility" for the crisis and and step down from his position.
O'Rourke obtained 194 votes against the 102 votes for Ryan at the Convention on Sunday, which was held at the National Stadium.
Speaking about his new role, O'Rourke said:
"I am honoured to have been elected President of the IABA at this year’s Convention. The sport has undergone a difficult time of late.
"However, boxing remains Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport and with over 300 clubs nationwide some of which are in the most disadvantaged community the IABA makes a significant contribution to Irish Sport at both community and high performance levels.
"We are also lucky to have a group of very talented athletes and coaches and the many committed volunteers without whom the sport simply would not happen.
"I look forward to working with them as well as our CEO, Fergal Carruth and the Board of Directors to unite and strengthen the sport of boxing which is of huge importance to Ireland."
