THIS year’s Hurling for Cancer evening takes place on Monday week, August 18th in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow at 7.30pm.

Established in 2011 by Jim Bolger and Davy Russell, the hugely successful event is now sponsored by Centra and raises funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

Rachael Blackmore and Danny Mullins will be among the stars of the turf involved again this year. Rachael said: “I got roped in a few years ago and you couldn’t say no because it’s such a brilliant evening. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer, so it’s just a brilliant cause to support and the event is growing every year.”

Mullins, whose dramatic haircut caused such a stir in and out of the weighroom at the Galway Races, said: “I’m one of the lucky few who hasn’t had cancer knock on our door yet, but you know inevitably that it’s going to come at some stage, and you want to do your bit. It’s a really great evening of fun, but for a very serious cause.”

The match uniquely brings many regular hurling and sporting rivals together as teammates for one night only and fans get to meet all their heroes on the pitch afterwards.

“I’m involved for 10 years,” said Kilkenny’s T.J. Reid. “It’s become a very special day in the calendar, especially for the kids who get to meet and get autographs from their heroes, but also because so many people come and it creates so much awareness, especially among men.

“I’m always telling males, especially men over 40, to go and get their bloods done and get their prostate checked. It only takes 10 minutes at your doctor’s and those 10 minutes could potentially save your life.”

Former boxer Bernard Dunne has disclosed why the event means so much to him. The former WBA super bantamweight world champion revealed that his family has had direct experience of cancer, and that the shocking news came when he least expected it, on his return from the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, where he was the high-performance director for Irish boxing.

“I don’t think there’s a family in the country, possibly in the world, that has not been impacted by the dreaded C-word,” he said. “We’ve had it in my family with my wife. I found out the day I came home from the Olympic Games. It was aggressive but thankfully she is fabulous now and we enjoy and appreciate every day.

“We need to face everything in life with positivity and the right mindset and that is what this event is all about. It’s a real family day, really sociable and great fun. The goodwill, effort and support this gets from everyone across the country, I’ve honestly never seen anything like it. Whatever you can do or give on the night is all that’s important. I’m a fighter, not a hurler, so I helped out as an umpire last year. I think the lads were aiming at me, not the posts!” he quipped.

Since 2011 Hurling for Cancer has raised over €1.6 million.

Tickets for this year’s game are available from selected Centra and SuperValu GAA ticket agent stores, as well as online at hurlingforcancer.ie (€10 for adults, €5 for children).