Irish presidential hopeful leads star-studded turnout at Hurling for Cancer Research fundraising match
BEST GAME Irish presidential hopeful leads star-studded turnout at Hurling for Cancer Research fundraising match
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Sean Kelly was among many famous faces attending the Hurling for Cancer Research fundraising match on Monday.
The annual charity match was held at Carlow's Netwatch Cullen Park in front of a bumper crowd in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
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Munster MEP Kelly is of course also a former president of the GAA
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Kilkenny stars past and present Walter Walsh, TJ Reid and Eoin Cody lined out for Jim Bolger's Stars
Credit: Sportsfile
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Managerial icons Brian Cody and John Kiely were in opposition just like days gone by
Credit: Sportsfile
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Paul Townend was one of the horse racing stars to aid his support
Credit: Sportsfile
TJ Reid helped Jim Bolger's Stars win the annual game as it rained goals all evening.
Managed by Limerick boss John Kiely and Wexford legend Liam Griffin, the Kilkenny veteran and his side beat an equally stacked Davy Russell's Best line-up — for whom Clare's Peter Duggan looked hot — 14-10 to 8-13.
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The enjoyable spectacle saw current and former hurling stars and figures from other sports line out for the racing pair's teams. Bolger's side led 8-7 to 4-7 at half-time.
Russell's crew, coached by All-Ireland-winning Tipperary chief Liam Cahill and Kilkenny icon Brian Cody, played their part in a cracking night for a great cause.
At the time of writing over €14,000 has been raised with donations still welcome through its idonate page here.
Kelly, 73, is set to vie with Heather Humphreys for the Fine Gael nomination for November's presidential election.
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The party were forced to pick another runner after first choice candidate Mairead McGuinness withdrew due to a medical condition.
Ireland South MEP Kelly had previously expressed an interest in running for the Aras but stood down to clear the way for former European Commissioner McGuinness.
The Kerry native reaffirmed his interest in representing the party in the election when McGuinness withdrew – leaving him on a collision course with Humphreys.
The former Social Protection Minister is understood to be the preferred candidate by the party leadership having left politics ahead of the last general election in a shock decision.
Henry Shefflin among GAA stars at Oasis gigs where Man City tradition made its Croke Park debut
Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland today, Kelly announced his decision to seek the party's nomination and said "circumstances have changed".
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In a statement, he said: "With Mairead having to withdraw, that changed the position – we needed a candidate.'
'I'm delighted and enthusiastic about the prospect of running for president of Ireland."
He added: "As someone who has devoted my life to serving communities across Ireland, as a teacher, as president of the GAA, and for the past 16 years as MEP for Ireland South, I am confident that I can represent the country with integrity, inclusiveness, and a commitment to our communities.
"To be entrusted with that honour would be the greatest privilege of my life."
ALL CHANGED
Speaking to Northern Sound radio this morning, Humphreys confirmed she has "decided to go for it" as she put herself forward for the party's contest to select a presidential candidate.
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The former Minister for Social Protection said everything has changed following McGuinness' decision to withdraw from the race.
The Fine Gael National Executive last night held a meeting to discuss the party's plan for the election, with the party agreeing to reopen the nomination process.
Nominations for the party's presidential candidate reopen at midday today and will close at midday on September 2.
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