There’s going to be a punch up again in Mitchelstown on St Patrick’s weekend this year. Instead of bracing themselves and being alarmed though, townspeople are assured it’s an event to greatly look forward to.

The St Patrick’s Punch Up proved a huge success last year, so much so that it has been decided to repeat the exercise which raised more than €10,000 for local clubs, group and charities.

Mitchelstown Rugby Club is once again organising the event which will take place on Saturday, March 15th. The ‘white collar’ boxing event has a change of venue for this year, it’ll be held in Mitchelstown Enterprise Centre, across the road from the Firgrove Hotel, with an even bigger and better show planned.

Building on last year’s success, the organisers are really pushing the boat out with improvements in all areas of the event to ensure a fantastic night’s entertainment for everyone. Along with a new venue plus a night of quality boxing, excellent hospitality, full bar and catering and entertainment, it’s planned to set up three different rooms at the venue this year providing different musical entertainment to suit all tastes. Full details of what promises to be one of the most exciting nights of entertainment ever seen in the area will be announced in the coming weeks.

A great deal of interest has already been expressed by clubs, organisations and individuals wishing to box this year and a meeting will be held at 8pm tonight, January 16th in the Firgrove Hotel for the registration of boxers. People, even if they are not sure about signing up, are welcome to come along and find out more. Organisers point out that it is excellent from the fitness perspective, it’s a new skill learned and is great fun. There is also, of course, the ‘feelgood’ factor of having helped to raise money for a local cause, club or charity. Last year the organisers were thrilled to be able to give the €10,000 raised from the event back to the community and this year’s event will allow others to raise money for a cause close to their heart.

The event sold out quickly last year and with plans to make it even bigger and better this year, they’re likely to be in even greater demand, so people are advised to get their tickets early. They’ll be available in the coming weeks from any member of Mitchelstown Rugby Club, all fighters taking part as well as in selected local establishments.