Over 1,000 fans for Tuam White Collar Boxing on eve of St Patrick's Day

OVER 1,000 people are expected to watch the first ever major White Collar Boxing event in Tuam at a specially converted unit in the MG Business Park, on St Patrick's Day Eve March 16. The event is a cross community fund raising effort involving three local GAA clubs, Corofin, Kilconly and Sylane. Already players from the clubs are exchanging their football boots or hurleys for boxing gloves as they are training two nights a week. Some of the well-known Co Galway GAA stars that will be boxing on the night include current inter-county football team member Damien Burke and dualstar Kevin Brady. 'Kevin has been in a similar event before and he was one of those who was instrumental in suggesting that we hold this event in Tuam,' says David Morris from Corofin who is one of the organizers. He says there is great cross-community interest in the event and already many of the competitors are training together under the guidance of Sean Harty on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sean, who is from Galway city, but lives in Corofin, has been training boxers for years. He has worked with professionals in the sport, both here and in the UK. There is less chance of competitors getting serious injuries than in conventional boxing as all participants will be wearing heavily padded helmets and 16-ounce soft padded gloves. A ring and all the other requirements for a boxing tournament are being put in place in a unit at the MG Business Park where there will also be bar facilities on the night. Darren Geoghegan of Geoghegan's Bar says they are busy getting the venue kitted out for the big event.  He is one of the young boxers who will be taking part and the main sponsors are JFC Plastics, Geoghegan's Bar and Western Hygiene Supplies. Sean Harty will be responsible for matching fighters on the night, based on training completed, experience, boxing skill and weight. For these reasons some participants may not get the opportunity to fight on the night but this decision will be known closer to the event. Bouts on the night will last for three two-minute rounds under the guidance of a boxing referee and judge. Competitors will be also be required to wear groin protectors and mouth guards which are essential requirements inside the ring. All competitors will be required to sign a waiver before they commence their participation in the event. They are also being asked to choose their fight song to be played on the night