Keegan was offered the role of director of coaching by the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) after guiding Ireland's team to three medals at the Beijing Olympics, a silver and two bronze, their best-ever performance.

But he turned the job, based at Sheffield, down.

He said: “I had the contract before me to sign.

"It is flattering when your work is recognised elsewhere.

“But I thought about it long and hard and I realised my heart would always be with Ireland in the lead up to the London Olympics.

"I also had to consider my family and, in the end, I did not sign the contract."

The ABAE role instead went to Kevin Hickey, returning to the sport after a 20-year absence, as reported on insidethegames last month.

Keegan, who is from Dublin, has now accepted a new role in Ireland as the director of performance management with the Institute of Sports.

He said: “It will be a challenge but I love a challenge.

"While there is a question mark over funding I know the institute has the full support of [chief executive] John Treacy and all of the Irish Sports Council.

"I would see it having a big role in the development of Irish sport into the future.

"That’s why I am staying."