Boxers demand answers after Russian visa foul-up

A six-strong senior boxing team, due to represent Ireland at a multi-nations tournament in Moscow, were left stranded yesterday morning after a mix-up with their passports.

Along with two coaches, they were due to fly to London at lunchtime where they would get a connecting British Airways flight to the Russian capital. But just two weeks after Ireland’s brilliant showing at the Olympics, they were forced to head for home and abandon the competition. The IABA were last night blaming the Russian Embassy but the boxers said not only did they not receive an apology, they didn’t receive any other word from the governing body after the incident. One commented: “From the start the trip was a mess.”

The team due to travel consisted of Eric Donovan and Roy Sheehan from St Michael’s, Athy, Ross Hickey from Grangecon, Hugh Myers from Ryston, Newbridge, Sean Turner from Drimnagh and Conor Coyle from St Joseph’s, Derry. Yesterday morning they met with coaches Shamey Byrne from Grangecon and Martin Brennan from Mayo at the National Stadium at 9.30am, and were due to head to Dublin Airport at 9.45am.