'I’d rather you'd be able for a conversation with your son in 20 years’ - Wexford boxer's retirement due to brain condition

Wexford boxer Niall Kennedy has spoken out about how a neurologist's assessment led to his unexpected retirement from the sport, after a professional career that saw him reach the top 30 in the world.

Kennedy, who also works as a full-time garda in Co Wicklow, has had an eventful career since turning professional at the age of 31.

Fighting under the Murphys Boxing promotion, Kennedy, 37, made a big name for himself Stateside and won state titles in Massachusetts and New England in 2017.

He was preparing for a bout in the National Stadium in Dublin on November 17th, which would have been his first fight on Irish soil in a number of years, when he was told a brain scan was showing early signs of CTE.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive brain condition that's thought to be caused by repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion. It's particularly associated with contact sports, such as boxing, rugby or American football.

Kennedy told BreakingNews.ie: "I’d never heard of this until about two weeks before I went to see the neurologist. Then there was an issue with the brain scan, it showed up for CTE. This white matter showed up in the brain, it’s linked to CTE basically, so that’s where I am now.

"He drew a picture with a circle and said once you go to this side you can’t come back… he said you’re not on that side thank God, but you’re not too far from it, dangerously close.

"He’s the main neurologist in Ireland dealing with CTE, he said I don’t want to upset you but anyone who has this illness arrives on their own, leave on their own, it can bring addiction, aggression, all sorts."

Sitting beside Kennedy for the interview was his five-year-old son MJ, and he explained that he was hoping