The Rocky Road

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.

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.

Michael Conlan joins Kevin Byrne for an unfiltered look back at his career and what lies ahead. Mick reveals the crazy story behind his recent trip to Moscow and the truth about his Rio 2016 robbery, explains why Irish amateur boxing needs fresh blood on the coaching staff and breaks down Anthony Cacace's huge clash with Nick Ball. He also opens up about his son entering the sport, the dark side of pro coaching, his retirement and launching a new Belfast promotional venture with Jay Byrne.

Guest co-host Sinéad Kehoe (East Coast FM) joins us to unpack the true impact of Katie Taylor’s legacy - from opening gym doors for a new generation of female fighters to the harsh funding realities facing grassroots boxing on the ground. We hear from Brendan Fitzpatrick, former fighter and now coach at West Finglas Boxing Club on the constant battle for physical space and how the sport saved him, and young boxer Niamh on stepping into the ring inspired by Katie, her hero. Lecturer in social sciences of sport Conor Heffernan breaks down structural funding inequities and talks reform, while criminologist Trina O'Connor explores how sports transform working-class communities and whether historical stigmas still hold boxing back.

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.

Undefeated IBF European welterweight Champion Kieran Molloy returns to The Rocky Road. Four years on from his first appearance as a 3-0 prospect, the Galway southpaw joins Kevin Byrne to reflect on his rise to 15-0, overcoming pro ring adversity, honoring his Connemara roots, and where that talked-about domestic super-fight with Paddy Donovan stands today in light of Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua finally being made. We also talk about how he overcame his agonising first knockdown in a fight, why he'll never enter the ring injured again and in-ring trash talk and why it gives him a buzz to go out there and shut his opponents up.