War party get Strict'

Niall Scully

BRUCE FORSYTH would love to be in the audience at the North County Cricket Club in Balrothery next Sunday night.

Man O' War are staging their gala production of the smash hit, 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

"The event has captured the imagination of the people of Fingal," reveals club PRO, Caroline Hughes.

The proceeds will see the club improve their facilities, and, at the same time, raise money for deserving causes like the Crumlin Children's Hospital.

"We have had many successful fundraisers in the past like table quizzes and race nights, but we decided to go with something different this time.

"We never organised something as big as this before. It is a huge undertaking," explained Caroline.

Dublin legend Barney Rock is one of the judges, as is the Irish cricket international and Man O' War footballer, John 'Boy' Mooney.

The audience will be guaranteed a spectacular and slick production.

The dancers have been in intense rehearsals.

"The training has been so tough, tougher than playing two matches back-to-back," admitted Man O War GPO and one of the dancers, Siobhan O'Connor.

Four GAA clubs will be taking to the floor -- St Maur's, St Patrick's (Donabate), Clann Mhuire and the hosts.

Also doing the tango will be Skerries Rugby Club and the North County Cricket Club. "We wanted to broaden it as much as possible so that it would attract more people out to support it," adds Caroline.

"It will assist in the development of our facilities. Things are going well at the club. We have had a real growth spurt in the juvenile section with over 11 teams.

"There's a lot of optimism in the club and in the community, and the Strictly Come Dancing event is helping to solidify that.

"It should be good fun. We have people from different clubs dancing with each other.

"It's a case of swapping the football boots for the dancing shoes.

"At the start, a few of the dancers probably didn't fully appreciate what they were getting into, but after their first two-hour training session, they certainly became aware of the effort required."

The tickets have been going well. They cost €20.

There's only a few left.

Tickets are available through www.manowargfc.com or in the surrounding locality at the following outlets: Shaves Gents Saloon; PA Hair Design and the White Hart Inn in Balbriggan; Birds of Paradise, Rush; Reilly's Daybreak, The Naul; Balrothery Inn; Dave's Shop, Balrothery; Tadpoles Academy, Balrothery; The Shoe Horn, Skerries; C+T Supermarket.

You can also email thebigevent@manowargfc.coms