Dan Donnelly on Creedon TV show last night

The latest item in a very long line of media coverage of 19th century pugilist Dan Donnelly and his fight against George Cooper was aired last night in an episode of ‘Creedon’s Epic East’, writes Brian Byrne.

In the segment, radio presenter Keith Walsh told John Creedon the story of the fight, on location at the hollow, and a re-enactment of the event was staged by boxers from Kilcullen BC and Ryston BC in Newbridge. Dan Hoolahan from Kilcullen played the part of Donnelly and Bobby Molloy from Ryston was Cooper.

Afterwards, John Creedon spoke with Josephine Byrne about the mummified right arm of the Irish fighter, which was displayed in Kilcullen’s Hideout pub for decades from the early 1950s. He said he felt very privileged to hold the arm, as it was from a human being who was also a champion boxer.

Pictured below during the filming of the re-enactment are Ryston BC coaches Tom McDermot and Luke Connors, boxer Bobby Molloy, Referee Dave Molloy, Kilcullen BC boxer Dan Hoolahan and Kilcullen coaches Joe Orford and Dave O'Brien.

In case you missed the show, it's available to view on the RTE Player.