Kilkenny sporting stars to take the field in cancer research charity match

Hurling icon TJ Reid and Kilkenny jockey Danny Mullins will join a lineup full of sporting icons at the Hurling for Cancer Research Game in Carlow later this month.

The match will be held at Netwatch Dr Cullen Park at 7:30pm on August 18 by Centra in partnership with Hurling for Cancer with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society.

Seven-time All-Ireland winner Reid has been a regular fixture in the match for a decade and has seen how the occasion has grown while spreading awareness about cancer.

“It’s become a very special day in the calendar, especially for the kids who get to meet their heroes, but also because so many people come and it creates so much awareness, especially among men,” he said.

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

The game was first held in 2011 and since then it has raised over €1.6 million, directly funds 100 cancer researchers each year and it’s hoped that the total amount raised will cross the €2 million mark this year.

Kilkenny interest in the match will be increased further by the participation of jockey Danny Mullins who shocked crowds at the Galway Races with a daring new dreadlocks hairstyle this week.

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“I’m one of the lucky few who hasn’t had cancer knock on our door yet, but you know inevitable 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,” Mullins said.

Reid and Mullins will be joined by a host of other sporting legends including four-time All-Ireland winning former Wexford camogie player Ursula Jacob, the first-ever female Grand National winning jockey Rachael Blackmore and former WBA Super Bantamweight world champion Bernard Dunne.

Dunne has spoken publicly about his wife’s cancer diagnosis in 2021 and is looking forward to lending his assistance at the event despite his self-proclaimed lack of hurling skills.

“I don’t think there’s a family in the country, probably in the world, that hasn't been impacted by the dreaded C-word. The goodwill, effort and support this event gets from everyone across the country, I’ve honestly never seen anything like it,” Dunne outlined.

“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 and I think the lads were aiming at me, not the posts,” he joked.

Tickets for the event are available at €10 per adult and €5 per child and can be purchased at selected Centra and SuperValu GAA Ticket Agent stores or online at http://www.hurlingforcancer.ie/.