(OCT 31)  The Queen’s Cup event in Stralsund, Germany has always been a very successful tournament for Irish boxers as indeed it was at the weekend when the Irish Youth & Junior team came away with seven golds (5 Junior,2 Youth) from the 2016 edition of the tournament but it was later events at the team’s hotel that have made the media headlines today.

According to sources close to the Irish team, Junior Team Captain Mary-Kate Nevin (15) from Mullingar was taken to hospital for ‘emergency treatment’ following an incident in the team’s hotel. Nevin, who earlier in the day had been voted as Youth/Junior boxer of the tournament needed treatment to an eye after being attacked by a male, who the ‘Irish Independent’ believes to be a trainer/coach of the Russian team.

Ireland’s Team Manager & Leinster boxing President, Bernie Harold told ‘Independent.ie’ online:

"We are absolutely appalled by what happened," she said. "We have reported it to the police in Germany and they will be pursuing it. The IABA, the Russian Federation and the world body will be investigating it."

She explained that the youngsters were "giggling" and "laughing" and that this noise woke the suspected attacker.

"They were all put to bed, the (Irish) coaches were downstairs having a cup of coffee and that's when it happened.

"Mary-Kate and another girl went to get a drink of coke from another girl in another room," she explained.

"This man came out of the room and he punched her in the eye."

The paper goes on to say that Mary-Kate was brought by coaches to a nearby hospital where she was examined by medical staff.

Asked how the junior boxer is now, Ms Harold said Sunday : "She's good. I brought her to the hospital last night and they were happy to let me bring her back to the hotel. Myself and the coaches stayed up with her through the night. She's good.

"It's a huge thing for Mary-Kate at the moment. She was the best boxer the tournament. She beat a hugely talented Russian along the way and it is a shame for something like this to happen.

"She's a very, very talented boxer. She has a huge future ahead of her."

As the incident happened at the hotel after the tournament ended, Ms Harold said they have given a statement to the German police.

"A report has been made to police and we are going to pursue this. We will not let this rest."

She added that the suspect has not been arrested, to the best of her knowledge, and said the matter is now with the German prosecutor.

"All the girls are very distressed by this. We are very conscious of that."

A total of 15 junior Irish females took part in the event and the team had a record haul of seven gold, four silver and four bronze medals. The team arrived home to Dublin on Sunday night.

Ms Harold said: "It was an incredibly successful tournament. We went with 15 boxers and we came home with 15 medals. That is unprecedented.

"That is the real story of this tournament."

This is an official tournament of the EUBC/AIBA and WBAN awaits comment to our requests to AIBA/EUBC, as to the extent of their involvement, especially IF the coach coach/trainer concerned is indeed one of the Russian team coaches as suggested in early reports from Stralsund.

Such a sad ending after a great weekend for Irish female boxing at one of Europe’s most renowned and respected tournaments with boxers present from sixteen of Europe’s powerhouse boxing nations, namely : SUI, DEN, ENG, FIN, IRL, RUS, SVK, CZE, WAL, NOR, FRA, SWE, POL, and hosts GER.

There were – apart from the Cadets,Youth and Juniors- also eight Senior Elite women’s titles at stake with Finland’s Mira Potkonen taking the 60kg crown again (she last won in 2013) whilst two Gold’s for Wales with Lynsey Holdaway at 48kg and Lauren Price at 75kg taking the honours in those weights. Price had also won in 2015. Two titles also for Russia – we have all the details – bout by bout – here from our colleagues at Strefa Poland boxing.

http://www.amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Tournaments/QueensCup2016.html