Ireland’s GAA and Horse Racing stars pick up their hurleys again to raise money for vital cancer research

On Tuesday 11th of August, a who’s who of Irish sportspeople will be taking to the pitch at 6.30pm in Saint Conleth’s Park, Kildare for a celebrity hurling match in aid of the Irish Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research. The event, which has been organised for the fourth year in a row by horseracing legend Jim Bolger and champion jockey Davy Russell, will see a host of Irish hurling and horse racing stars come together for what promises to be, yet another, fantastic evening for everyone involved. Hurling for Cancer Research has raised €300,000 for the Irish Cancer Society’s various cancer research initiatives to date and this year will aim to bring in even more.  The participants, a mix of GAA and horse racing stars, include; Mark Landers, T.J. Ryan, Pat Fox, Dave Bernie, Damien Fitzhenry, Charlie Carter, James Dowling, Wexford all Ireland winning manager Liam Griffin, Kilkenny Manager Brian Cody, Derby winning Jockeys Kevin Manning and Michael J. Kinane, Colm O’Rourke, Ronnie Delaney, top female jockey Katie Walsh, soccer legend Niall Quinn, hurling legends D.J. Carey and Nicky English, and Cyril Farrell as Referee for the day. Irish icon Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh will be the days craoltoir. Anthony Kearns will sing Amhrán na bhFiann. To support this great cause come along to what is set to be a great event book your ticket now. You can order online on www.cancer.ie or by phone on CallSave 1850 60 60 60. Tickets are €10 for adults and €15 for families. All money raised will go to the Irish Cancer Society. Organiser Jim Bolger, JSB Racing, said “We are so grateful for the amazing support we get each year from people who play a role on the day, to those who buy tickets and come out to support us. The whole community gets behind the event and that’s what makes it a brilliant day out. We have only been able to raise such a massive sum of money for research with that help. Davy and I believe that cancer research will play a major role in the successful treatment and cure of cancer in the future and we are proud to fundraise for this cause.” Dr Robert O’Connor, Head of Research, Irish Cancer Society said “We are delighted that Jim Bolger and Davy Russell have brought together such an amazing group of people for the fourth Hurling for Cancer Research event. The Irish Cancer Society is committed to ensuring that quality research is supported so that Ireland will be at the forefront of advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment and every patient will have access to the best treatment possible. We have ambitious plans to expand our cancer research programmes even further and we rely on the generosity of the public to make this happen. Fundraising from our supporters and events like this make our research possible.” Most recent figures from the National Cancer Registry show that over 35,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2012. Cancer rates are expected to rise and it is estimated that by 2020 over 40,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Ireland each year. The Irish Cancer Society is reliant on donations from the public to continue to invest in research so that those diagnosed with cancer have the best possible outcome.  The Irish Cancer Society is Ireland’s national cancer charity, committed to funding world class research. Over the last 30 years, Irish Cancer Society funded research has led to over 700 new research findings. In 2014, the Society invested over €2.5m in cancer research projects across the country.  To support a great cause and come along to what is set to be a great event book your ticket now. You can order online on www.cancer.ie or by phone on CallSave 1850 60 60 60. Tickets are €10 for adults and €15 for families. All money raised will go to the Irish Cancer Society.