The Battle at Croker 2009

The Battle at Croker arrived and fulfilled its promise to be a fun filled and exciting night with guest appearences from both the world of sports and the entertainment.

Our brave participants completed an intensive six week training programme with Michael Carruth and were ready to take to the ring for three one minute bouts.   Each participant had chosen a boxing persona and music to enter the ring to.

"The Shanbally Slugger" aka Patrick O Connor raises his gloves against 'The Aging Bull' aka TJ Bourke in training

All proceeds on the night will be used by the IMNDA to maintain services in research, nursing, care and education to people affected by Motor Neurone Disease in Ireland. Motor Neurone Disease does not discrimate, it affects people regardless of gender, race and age from teenagers to people in their eighties and beyond. In some parts of the country, people are coping with as little as one hour of home help and do not have access to medical cards.

A superb prize for two people to have a 'walk-on' part on the much loved soap opera Fair City was up for auction and Maclean Burke kindly helped spot the winning bid for us. Further prizes were won from the raffle on the night, including tickets to the international rugby between Ireland and Australia.

Appearences on the night included Michael Carruth, Olympic Gold Medallist boxer / Tom Jordan, Fair City actor / Maclean Burke, Fair City actor/ Mick Dowling boxing commentator / Jack Sheedy ex GAA Dublin footballer / Gary Keegan Director of High Performance Training at the Irish Institute of Sport. These men kindly gave of their time as gesture to their friends Jimmy Magee and Joan Walsh.