Lovebirds Ian and Carol fly in for fundraiser at Leopardstown races
Once more unto the beach, dear friends? Cork popstar-turned-businesswoman Carol Anthony and her beau Liverpool Football Club legend Ian Rush looked all tanned from their long holiday break in Mauritius when they arrived in Dublin last Thursday for a quick visit.
The couple, who have been together for over four years, are frequent guests in Dublin, of course.
Rush (who was over here ostensibly to be part of a Liverpool Legends event at The Button Factory with Steve Nicol, and the two Johns, Barnes and Aldridge) was staying in the Westbury Hotel with Carol.
They went to House on Leeson Street for dinner afterwards last Thursday night.
On Friday they travelled to Belfast before flying home to London. They will be at the big Liverpool v Manchester United game at Old Trafford in Manchester this afternoon.
Given Liverpool should have been beaten 4-0 by Southampton during the week at St Mary’s, does Rushie expect his beloved team to be lucky not to lose in Manchester against Jose Mourinho’s in-form team?
“For the first time in a long time,” he answered. “Manchester United have to beat Liverpool to keep in touch with the pacemakers. That’s why I don’t think Liverpool will lose.”
Carol and Ian are returning to Dublin on January 29 for the races at Leopardstown.
Spending the weekend at a suite in the sublime Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort in Kildare, the two lovebirds have invited a big gang of their pals — your diarist among them — to join them for lunch in their corporate box.
It promises to be a great day and for a great cause, too.
“It is the annual Shabra Charity event which Ian is the patron of,” explained Carol.
“The elite of racing will be present including Richie Ricci and Willie Mullins among others, and all of Ireland’s top medical professionals from Mater Hospital and beyond...it has become a highlight of the Irish racing calender... and more importantly for a great cause!” she added.
“Building machinery to combat potential cancer growths — catching signs at the earliest stage! Precaution is our only cure at present!”