Gerry Cooney, one of the great boxers of his era and the former heavyweight contender from Huntington, Long Island, will headline "A Salute to Irish American Heritage" at Empire City at Yonkers Raceway on on Tuesday night, March 11.

Cooney, a two time Golden Gloves champion and winner of 28 fights during a stellar pro career, will meet and greet Empire City fans during a Question & Answer and autograph session which will get underway at 7:00 PM at the Entertainment Lounge in Empire City's Gotham Palace. Admission is free.

Cooney scored 25 professional knockouts, and beat title challengers Jimmy Young, Ron Lyle and Ken Norton, all by devastating KO's. His only losses came to world champion Larry Holmes in the 1982 mega fight, and former world champs George Foreman and Michael Spinks.

Irish culinary items will be on the menus all night, including in the Empire Terrace Dining Room, Lillian Russell and the Food Court, including such specialties as Corned Beef and Cabbage, Sheppard's pie, Bangers and Mash and numerous other Irish delectables.

Musical Entertainment throughout the evening will be provided by the popular Allen Gogarty Band (http://allengogarty.com/).

Empire City at Yonkers Raceway is the 5,500 video gaming machine emporium located just North of New York City. For more information contact 914-968-4200. The "Salute to Irish American Heritage" will be the first in a series of Heritage Nights at Empire City throughout 2008.

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