Rebel stars gear up for Hurling for Cancer fundraiser

Cork stars Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Brian Hayes, Patrick Horgan and Ashling Thompson will be among those lending their support to a special charity match in Carlow next Monday night.

Since it was first contested in 2011, the Hurling for Cancer Research game between Jim Bolger’s Stars and Davy Russell’s Best has become a fixture in the Irish sporting calendar, with some of the country’s biggest names giving their backing to the event.

Others lining out for the clash at Netwatch Cullen Park on Monday, August 18 will be Kilkenny’s TJ Reid and Andrew Ormond of Tipperary along with footballers Paudie Clifford of Kerry and Con O’Callaghan from Dublin.

Keeping order on the sidelines along with the legendary JBM will be Niall Quinn, Lisgoold’s Paul Townend and Bernard Dunne.
All of the funds raised from the game go to the Irish Cancer Society, which has benefited to the tune of more than €1.7m across the history of the fixture.

This year, Centra – one of the sponsors of the All-Ireland SHC – are on board as partners of the fundraising event and the company’s managing director, Luke Hanlon, is delighted to be supported with such a worthwhile cause.

“Hurling for Cancer represents the best of both worlds,” he said, “passion on the pitch and hope in homes across Ireland.”

Bolger added his grateful thanks. “We’re excited to have Centra on board and their support will be key in reaching our €2 million goal,” he said.

The game starts at 7.30pm but the gates in Carlow will open from 5.30pm, with attendees able to meet their heroes beforehand. Then, a series of mini games featuring stars of the future will take place at 6.30pm.
Tickets for the game are priced at €10 for adults and €5 for children and are available at selected Centra and SuperValu outlets as well as www.hurlingforcancer.ie, where donations can also be made.