Hurling and celebrity craic for good cause

THE SIXTH annual celebrity hurling match organised by Wexford-born trainer Jim Bolger and top jockey Davy Russell in aid of Irish cancer research takes place next Tuesday night, August 15, at St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, with a 6.30 p.m. start, and supporters are advised to turn up early.

This event has gained in status and support every year and the amount raised passed the €500,000 mark last August. It will feature a host of big names from the racing, sporting and entertainment worlds, in various capacities. For instance, it is believed that TV star Miriam O’Callaghan will be running a line and her performance will be closely scrutinised for fair play.

Davy Russell’s team had their first win in the series last year and the competitive Bolger will be determined to wrest back the title. However, to be fair to the jockeys, he says all his players will be under five feet eight inches in height, with the exception of regular goalie, Damien Fitzhenry.

He hopes to feature Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald also, so there could be a bit of a schemozzle for the goalkeeping position!

Managers will be Liam Griffin and Brian Cody, though Bolger will surely be cracking a whip too, and the Sunday Game will be well represented by the likes of Cyril Farrell (referee), Joe Brolly and Colm O’Rourke. Oh, there will be lots of actual hurlers there too.

It will be a star-studded evening and there will be plenty of not so clean good fun, with lots of dodgy tackles and dubious tactics. Try to be there by six o’clock, enjoy the craic and support a great cause.