Meath to ring in the new year

Jimmy Magee will be a popular MC at next Sunday evening's eagerly-awaited White Collar Boxing promotion in aid of the Meath senior footballers. The event is scheduled to start at 7.0 at Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim next Sunday night with the doors due to open at 6.0. According to Meath Co Committee treasurer Pat Clerkin, tickets are selling well for the inaugural event, but there are still some available from Jack Kiernan & Sons shops in Navan, at the County Club, Dunshaughlin and at Knightsbrook Hotel reception. The promotion has been organised by the Friends of Meath GAA in conjunction with newly-appointed senior football manager Seamus McEnaney, Sponsored by the Comer Group, the night will feature 15 bouts which will all involve Meath footballers and there will be one celebrity bout that will pit Meath against Cork. Top Summerhill jockey Robbie Power will step into the ring with Cork native Davy Condon and both jockeys have had time to do some training over the last week due to the fact that racing was postponed due to the weather and only returned on Tuesday of this week. The evening will feature some interesting clashes with each bout over three rounds. Simonstown footballer Shane O'Rourke will face Navan O'Mahonys midfielder Mark Ward. Another Simonstown man, Seamus Kenny, will have to tackle Cian Ward from neighbouring club Wolfe Tones while Mickey Burke will tackle Chris O'Connor from Ballinabrackey. Gary O'Brien (Navan O'Mahonys) will face David Lyons (Seneschalstown) while Tommy Johnson (Dunshaughlin) will oppose Jonathan Meyler (Blackhall Gaels) and Paddy O'Rourke (Skryne) will face David Morgan (Donaghmore / Ashbourne). The remaining bouts are: Niall Mooney (St Patrick's) v Brian Farrell (Nobber); Conor Gillespie (Summerhill) v Craig Berrigan (Dunboyne); Phillip Rogers (St Michael's) v Paddy Rafferty (Syddan); Ollie Lewis (Na Fianna) v Paul Weldon (Moynalvey); Brendan Murphy (Trim) v Shane McAnarney (Clann na nGael); Joe Sheridan (Seneschalstown) v Kevin Reilly (Navan O'Mahonys) Co-ordinated by former champion boxer Cathal O'Grady in conjunction with the Friends of Meath GAA and Meath GAA Co Committee, tickets for the event are currently on sale (€30 each) through clubs. The doors at Knightsbrook will open at 6.0 on Sunday 2nd January with the first bout timed for 7.0.