It has been hailed as one of the most enjoyable fund-raisers for yonks, the inter-GAA club Fight Night in the Dolmen Hotel on Saturday, organised by the Killeshin club in a bid to fund their pitch development, writes Paul Donaghy.

The novel idea drew a record 900plus 'fight-fans' to the Kilkenny Road hotel which reportedly ran out of beer on the night as 'boxers' from Killeshin, Arles-Killeen and Ballylinan did their level best to horizontal each other in an event which raised ¤20,000 for the promoting club and ¤6,00 for each of the other participants.

The novel promotion went down a treat with a very enthusiastic audience and the pugilists continued the 'aggro' when reviewing their performances at the 'afters' in The Mall in Killeshin on Sunday night where the success of the promotion was evaluated, and a possible 'return' considered.

"Here we are with arms around each other after fighting each other," said promoter Paul Brennan of the Killeshin club on Sunday evening, chuffed at Killeshin 'winning' the evening by 13 points against ten for Ballylinan and seven for Arles-Killeen.

"I'm here with the chairman of the other clubs and all agree it was the best night we've ever had," claimed Paul who noted that most of the 900-plus who filed in before 8-30 were still lapping up the entertainment by close of 'hostilities' at 1-30am.

"It was a brilliant night," declared Paul who felt it helped to raise the profile of the Killeshin club which has come under playing-ground pressure from the increasing numbers drawn to the club.Killeshin have been very active in fund-raising of late recording more than ¤22,000 from various initiatives of late.

"It has been hard work but we have a very good football club and a fund-raising arm too as instanced from he Fight Night," added Paul noting the work of club chairman Mark O'Regan, Eddie Brennan, Laurence Phelan and Peter McDonald and the sponsorship of Jonathan Catering, Tile 'n Style, Pricebusters and Penturf.

One boxer Gary Walsh boxed twice, winning one and drawing another bout while Killeshin competitor Karl O'Regan was declared boxer-of -the-night.

Results: Kevin Farrell (Ballylinan) bt Kevin Moore (Killeshin), Kevin Moran (K) bt Trevor Finn (ArlesKilleen), Gary Walsh (B) bt Brendan McDonald (AK) Cathal Brennan (K) drew with Anthony Kirwan (B), Karl O'Regan (K) bt Dermot O'Shea (AK), Danny McDonald (AK) drew with Niall Wall (B), Eddie Brennan (K) bt DJ Kealy (B) Michael Leigh (AK) bt Aidan O'Rourke (K), Dermot Julian (AK) drew with Gary Walsh (B), Mark O'Rourke (K) bt JJ Brennan (B), Aidan Kelly (K) bt MJ Wall (AK), John E Brennan (B) drew with Ricky Dunne (AK), Paul Barcoe (K) bt Brian Kennedy (AK), Nigel Brennan (AK) bt Keelan Milaniff (B), Aidan Casey (B) bt Ken O'Regan (K).