High Performance, High Results - The Methods Behind the Sweet Science

For any Irish heading abroad for a holiday next week, they are in store for a surprise. Gone will be the casual indifference towards visitors, replaced with a deference heretofore not experienced by tourists anywhere. Doors will be held open, apologies offered for even the most minor of indiscretions and a reverential hush shall descend upon entering rooms. And why? Because whether male or female, big or small, from Bray, Belfast or anywhere in between, the assumption is going to be that the Irish could punch your fucking face in.

The success of our nation in the ring is no miracle or coincidence. It isn't even just the individuals involved - sure, they are pretty remarkable in their own right, but the core of Ireland's success is the extraordinary achievements of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association's High Performance Unit.

The goal of the High Performance programme is simple - to allow amateur athletes to train as professionals. Any numpty can tell you that working 9-5 might be a way to make a living, but it's a million miles away from the perfect preparation for international competition. Instead, the elite Irish boxers train twice a day in the National Stadium's gym in Dublin. And before you go all Rocky-montage in your head, let me tell you - it ain't no ordinary gym.

A bright and airy facility, with more equipment to shake a stick at, the finest fighters in the land hone their skills under the watchful eye of a superb coaching staff, including head coach Billy Walsh (right of shot) and Georgian expert Zuar Antia (pictured on left of shot with medal hopeful Paddy Barnes). Along with the wealth of ring experts are performance psychologists, nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, the lot. Even the paint on the wall is carefully considered - blue at the weights for focus and clarity, red and yellow around the ring for dynamism and explosiveness. The technology, the measurements: there is not a stone - physical, psychological or emotional - left unturned in preparing the Irish representatives to take on the world.

This is the level of detail required to excel at the top level - nothing less. Sure, there will be plenty said of the traditions of fighting in this country, but even with boxing contributing a huge portion of Ireland's medal haul it was never quite something we dominated. Nine medals were won in the 107 years prior to the inception of the High Performance programme; at least 6 will have come in the nine years since. Credit too, will also go to the expansive grass-roots system which is similarly supported by the National Lottery, the Irish Sports Council and plenty more besides. But the pursuit of excellence is a task only for the best.

It is no fluke that Barcelona and Spain have dominated the world of soccer with Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and other products of La Masia. The British era of track cycling has been masterminded by performance director Dave Brailsford who, since joining in 2000, has led the nation to the top of the sport. As the Irish climb to the peak of the boxing world, it is worth remembering how they got there. Michael Conlon (right) and the rest might be the ones taking the punches, but those in the background deserve the plaudits too.