IRISH GOALKEEPING LEGEND Packie Bonner is one of a number of sports personalities taking part in this year’s Movember campaign, the cancer awareness initiative that sees the streets crammed full of Tom Selleck lookalikes in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Bonner’s former international team-mates Ray Houghton and Tony Cascarino, rugby stars Cian Healy and Jamie Heaslip and GAA members up and down the country are all growing moustaches with a view to raising awareness of prostate cancer.

One in eight Irish men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime and Heaslip, for one, is prepared to put up with a bit of a slagging in the name of a good cause.

“I’ve been a Mo Bro since 2007,” said the Leinster and Ireland number eight.

“I grew handlebars and it looked absolutely disgusting and I got a load of abuse from my family and friends, but it was worth it to get people talking about men’s health and awareness around it.”

The Movember 2012 campaign has been officially launched with Bonner, who played in Euro ’88 and two World Cups for Ireland, getting shaved at the Aviva Stadium.

‘Mo Bros and Mo Sistas register at www.movember.com’

For more information on how to get involved with Movember, visit the official site >

Premier League consider introducing a winter break >