Kells set for biker invasion

IT is rare to get so many top class sportsmen or women together for a non-racing event, but when the Kells Road Races committee launched a fundraiser for Donegal rider Seamus Greene, the stars jumped at the opportunity to take part. Greene was one of the country"s leading riders and was a regular at the racing weekend at Crossakiel before a crash during the Isle of Man TT races left him with brain injuries. The Irishman has been moved from hospital to hospital in an effort to improve his condition, but the expenses are taking a financial toll and the Kells Road Race committee have decided to try to contribute with a fundraiser at the Headfort Arms on Friday, 30th January. 'Seamus was one of our best riders and he was a regular visitor to the Crossakiel circuit. It was a terrible crash and we wanted to do something to help him financially with the cost of his treatment,' Kells secretary Aileen Ferguson told the Meath Chronicle. 'The cream of the racing world from England, the Isle of Man and Ireland are flocking to the event. It is testament to the high regard with which Seamus is held that all these superstars have given their time to attend. 'The response from the riders and their teams has been amazing and it promises to be a great night in the Headfort Arms. Many of the riders have donated items for auctions and raffles on the night and the teams have also contributed,' said Ferguson. The format for the night will see each of the superstar riders being interviewed on stage by MCs Chris Kinley from Manx Radio (Isle of Man) and BBC"s racing commentator George McCann. The road racers who are confirmed to attend include Ryan Farquhar, John Burrows, Adrian Archibald, Ian Lougher, Conor Cummins, Gary Johnson, William Dunlop, Michael Dunlop, Damien Mulleady, John Walsh, Victor Gilmore, Mick Chatterton and Carl Rennie. Stephen Thomson will represent the short circuit riders, while the fastest Irish sidecar racer around the famed Isle of Man course, Peter Farrelly, will be joined by fellow sidecar riders Nicki Crowe and Tim Reeves. Dave Manley will give his views on the classics. As well as all the current riders, veterans James Courtney, Raymond Porter, Uel Duncan and Con Law will be in attendance. There will also be two prizes for auction that are sure to attract some huge bids. The first includes free entry to all the top races on the Irish circuit including the North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix, Dundrod, Adelaide International Kells Road Races, Cookstown, Tandragee, Mid Antrim, Skerries, Faugheen, Armoy, Bush and Walderstown. There will also be a special package for the Sunflower races. Also, there are two tickets for the F1 Style TT VIP Club at the Isle of Man for the race day of your choice, which includes breakfast, lunch, all day bar access, exclusive goody bag, merchandise, race programme, ear piece radio, access to the exclusive beer garden and to the rider appearances and chat show. Admission to Headforts Arms Hotel on Friday, 30th January is €10 which includes entrance to the disco after the chat show and auction.