AT a special meeting called by thee Central Council of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association at the National Stadium on Saturday, Brendan O Conaire from the Bayside Club in Portmarnock was elected as interim president. The move came following a vote of no confidence in Nicky White, taken last month. White, who was not in attendance, cited illness and work commitments as reasons for his period of inactivity in the association and said in a letter to the Central Council that he would be calling an extraordinary meeting in January where he will need 51 per cent of the votes from the county boards and the clubs if he is to regain his post as president.

O Conaire, who reluctantly accepted the position, called for an end to the disharmony which was again evident on Saturday.

Jim Hunt was asked to fill the post of vice-president. The elections, which also included Tom Fox as assistant treasurer, should restore some order to the association which up to last Saturday had only three active members on the committee.

However 1996 has not been the best of years for the association with Maxol dropping their sponsorship of the senior championships while the IABA has also has also been in financial difficulty.

Finally the Central Council is to discuss the issue of women's boxing at the next meeting on January 12th.