CLOSE to €15,000 was raised for the Aaron Fahey fund at a ‘boxing jockeys’ night in the Keadeen Hotel on Sunday night.

Aaron, an amateur rider, is the son of Monasterevin trainer Paul Fahey and he was left seriously injured in a farming accident earlier in the year.

Jockeys Kevin Sexton and Ricky Doyle organised the boxing evening, with the help of two local boxing clubs and the hotel, who donated the use of their ballroom.

Ricky reported: “We had 500 people through the door - it was a brilliant night. Kevin O’Ryan and Fran Berry were our MCs. There were 11 three-round bouts, followed by a DJ set. It was very well-supported and a great success.”

The participating jockeys are trained for a few weeks at the local clubs, passed medical tests, and were matched up as evenly as possible.

Ricky fought Martin Davidson, who works for trainer Ger O’Leary. Harry Swan took on John Shinnick, and Sam Ewing traded punches with flat jockey Donagh O’Connor.

Josh Halford went toe-to-toe with Alex Harvey and Simon Torrens squared off against Conor Walsh.

Agent Gary Halpin faced Danny Gilligan and Bobby Molloy fought Thomas Dowling.

Rachel Kelly from the Willie Mullins yard took on amateur boxer Sarah Murphy and stable staff Amber O’Reilly and Sophie Logan also went the distance.

Richie added: “The fight of the night was probably Hugh Morgan and Shaun Greene. That really got the crowd going.”