COCK FIGHT NEAR ATHY. MONSTER CONTEST

Leinster Leader 17 July 1937

Cock fight near Athy.

Monster contest

In defiance of the law which prohibits this class of sport, a monster cock fight was staged near The Swan, Athy, on Saturday afternoon in a field adjoining the road. Over a thousand people attended and amongst those present were prominent T.D.’s. 70 motor cars lined the road. The contest was between Carlow and Leix cocks and out of a total of 14 bouts Leix won the greater number. Betting was fast and remarkably heavy. Single wagers of £20 were about the most popular bets on each bout and it is estimated that thousands of pounds changed hands throughout the afternoon. The fights lasted a few hours and when the last bout was over the crowd dispersed as unobtrusively and quickly as it had gathered. Exhaustive inquiries were made in the district by the Gardai during the days following.