Hurling match raises more than half a million for cancer research

Jim Bolger has raised €542,000 for cancer research in five years thanks to his celebrity hurling match.

The hugely popular event, which brings together household names in the horseracing and hurling worlds, raised €138,000 in 2016 thanks to the thrilling tussle between Bolger's team and rival manager Davy Russell's side. That sum brought the total for the five years it has been on the go through the half-a-million barrier.

In the August event, Henry Shefflin, holder of ten All-Ireland medals, was joined by former Ireland soccer striker Niall Quinn as well as jockeys past and present, including Katie Walsh and Mick Kinane.

The money raised has enabled important breakthroughs to be made by BREAST-PREDICT, an Irish Cancer Society Collaborative Cancer Research Centre.

Bolger said: “It's truly exciting to see the developments being made through cancer research here in Ireland. The number of people with cancer in Ireland is rising annually and more research is vital to tackle this growing epidemic. Davy and I, and all those involved in Hurling for Cancer Research, are proud to play a part in funding the Irish Cancer Society’s work in this field.”

The sixth annual Hurling for Cancer Research match will take place in St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge on August 15, 2017.