The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Eibhlin Byrne, in the company of Mr Barry Andrews TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children and Mr John Lynch, Chairman of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, announced the appointment of five 'Boxing in the Community' Development Officers to work in Dublin City Council's five administrative areas at a function in the Mansion House today.

The initiative has been created to build on the recent successes of boxing on the international stage and the keen interest young people are showing in the sport.

The aim of the initiative is to place boxing development officers at the heart of Dublin communities to:

. Increase participation in the sport generally.
. Support the development of local clubs and expert coaching.
. Engage marginalised young people in positive activities and channel their energies into sport.
. Identify young talented athletes from Dublin's urban localities.

The Lord Mayor also used this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of Irish Boxing Olympians and World champions.

Attendees included some of Ireland's boxing heroes, with Katie Taylor, Kenny Egan, Paddy Barnes, John Joe Joyce and John Joe Nevin all in attendance.

The Lord Mayor said: 'The presence of World champions and Olympians in Ireland today shows that the sport is going from strength to strength in this country. The creation of these posts will see the sport of boxing supported by the partnership of local and national government and its national governing body at a community level.

'Young people will be given greater access to the sport and the opportunity for involvement in sustainable positive pursuits, voluntary coaches will be supported in the delivery of quality coaching and communities will benefit from a more active youth population.'

The scheme was developed by Dublin City Council in partnership with the IABA and the Department of Health and Children.

Minister Andrews commented: 'I am delighted to co-fund this worthwhile scheme as I know it will build on the work already being done by the other Sport Development Officers.

'I know that each of these officers will be a valuable asset to the development of sport as a medium to engage with young people at risk and steer them into a safe and healthy lifestyle

The Irish boxing squad has three boxers going through in the quarter finales at the world youth championship boxing in Armenia,  increasing their hope in securing a medal.  Chris Mullally joined Joe Ward and Michael Reilly in the quarter finals of the AIBA World Junior Championships courtesy of an impressive 7-2 win over Turkeys Ihsan Erdogan in Yerevan, Armenia tonight (local time).

Read more: Irish Boxers in quarter finales, Armenia Youth world championchip

Irish boxers Katie Taylor, Kenny Egan, Paddy Barnes, John Joe Joyce and John Joe Nevin  leading the way as role model for community groups in Dublin. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Eibhlin Byrne, in the company of Mr. Barry Andrews, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children and Mr. John Lynch, Chairman of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, will announce the appointment of five ‘Boxing in the Community’ Development Officers, to work in Dublin City Council’s five administrative areas, at 3pm on Tuesday, 26th May, in the Mansion House.

Read more: Katie Taylor helps with community initiative