'Seconds out' for Battle of the Border
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A HUGE crowd of over 900 people packed out the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorey last Saturday night to witness the long-awaited Battle of the Border between Kilrush Askamore GAA club and their neighbours Carnew Emmets GAA club from across the dividing line in Wicklow.
This fundraising boxing tournament had been eagerly anticipated with tickets selling out weeks ago and comical homemade videos of training camps and more being released on Youtube.
A brave group of 24 boxers took to the ring and what followed was all out war with every man giving his all for his club and community in an atmosphere that was truly electric.
' This has exceeded all of our expectations,' said KilrushAskamore clubman Lorcan Higgins. 'It was an absolutely brilliant night and each club sold 400 tickets and we could easily have doubled that such was the demand, it was unbelievable. It's been a great money spinner for both clubs but it was also a great event for both communities. I have never seen a night like it and I've been at boxing fundraisers several times'.
Carnew spokesman Brian Doran said that both sets of boxers deserved any praise that came their way because the effort they put in was 'immense'.
' We'd like to thank everyone who worked on this project at any stage, there are too many to name so we just want to say thanks to everyone. It's wonderful that two neighbouring clubs can come together and pull off this really superb event,' he added.
A DVD of the night will be on sale later this week and all 24 boxers were said to be enjoying each other's company in a less bruising fashion on Sunday last during a fun-filled tour of local pubs.
- Pictures:ger Leacy FINTAN LAMBE
