- Dervilla O'Reilly

DCU's very first White Collar Boxing event is to be held on Thursday the 8th of December at 2000 in the Venue.

DCU Raising And Giving society is Ireland's first RAG society and since launching in September they have gone from strength to strength, with a membership of almost 500 members and over 900 'likes' on Facebook they've shown that Dublin City University leads the way in third level Club and Society life.

Over 30 DCU students have been in training since mid October and will take to the ring in DCU's first ever fight night. The participants have been attending the training sessions twice a week at 7.30 in the morning! The coach of the sessions, Brian Daly, from Smithfield Boxing Club, said "It [the training] is going well so far, at the beginning the lads weren't looking very fit, I was a little bit worried that some of the lads wouldn't be able for it but they've really out done themselves and it's gotten to a stage where I'll be asking a few of them to join Smithfield." When asked about how he felt the night would go he said "It's going to be something that these boxers will never forget, the build up and the sense of anticipation among the lads is huge and there's a real sense of competition as well which means that the quality of boxing on the night should be very good, I'm looking forward to it."

The fighters were announced at the official weigh-in last Toxic Tuesday in the Nubar and most of them stayed in their boxing gear afterwards, adding to the sense of anticipation. On the night all the boxers will enter to their own song and while most are going with heavy metal rock anthems or fast paced dance songs boxer Seán Snee has decided to buck the trend and go with 'Careless Whisper' by 'George Michael', Seán said "It gets me in the mood, it gets me pumped."

"Well it's guaranteed to be an experience that our boxers will never forget and for everyone who attends we've a great night of entertainment lined up", event organiser Ronan O Dalaigh said, "While our target market is mainly men we wanted to make sure Women would have a really good night as well and so we've lined up a half time show that everyone will enjoy, and we made sure to get card boys as well as card girls! The most important thing is that all the profits will go to charity and it really epitomizes what RAG is all about, having loads of fun and helping to make a difference in the meantime."

Ireland's best society, DCU Media Production Society have also come on board and will be looking after production on the night, with DCU Boxing club supplying extra training sessions for the boxers. A night of great entertainment is guaranteed for all, with ticket holders getting into the after party at Twisted Thursdays in Quinns for free. Tickets for the event are on sale now, with one boxer reserving 22 ringside tickets, get yours now, before they're gone.

Tickets cost €10, and €15 for a ringside ticket. You can email dcurag@gmail.com, get in touch on their facebook page or else contact Gary on085 1559442.