Danny Healy ‘Sugar Rae’ to take to the boxing ring

Boxers and those more used to bruising political debates will take part in the “Brawl in the Hall” to raise funds for the local GAA club.

Players and supporters of Castleisland Desmonds in Co Kerry are swapping boots for boxing gloves on July 8 to boost the financial health of the club.

Local so-called boxers will trade punches with guests, who include rugby legend Mick Galwey and former Desmonds and Kerry senior footballer Dermot Hanifin. There is also huge anticipation for the fight between Den Joe O’Connor and TD Danny Healy “Sugar Rae”.

Also stepping into the ring will be TD John Brassil, who will go toe-to-toe with popular Kerry county councillor John Joe Culloty.

There will be no love lost between local barman Jerome “Fagin” Hartnett and baker Edmond “Fonz” Hartnett, while the bout between the teak-tough former Desmonds All-Ireland winning corner-backs Domo Ó Ciardubháin and Wilsie King will not be for the faint-hearted.

An organiser said: “There are 18 contests in total and the ladies will also feature, with Munster and Ireland grand slam-winning rugby player, Currow’s Siobhan Fleming, pitted against her provincial teammate, Scartaglin’s Nuala O’Connor.”

Castleisland Desmonds players Stan Divane, Mike Brosnan, Pat Fitzgerald, and Tomás Lynch are sure to entertain, while Desmonds ladies and All-Ireland Club Championship-winning team members Rachael Cronin, Elaine Guiney, and Mariah Curtin are also up for the challenge.

The doors will open at 7pm, with tickets — costing €20 each — on sale from outlets throughout the town.