GAA Handball has launched its new “Summer Series Club Tournament”, with a focus on outdoor sport.
A great turnout from the local Handball Club St McCartan’s in Donegal was treated to special guests from both GAA Handball and Donegal GAA.
GAA Handball President Dessie Keegan was in attendance alongside Development Staff Darragh Daly and Pauric Dowdall.
Former Donegal All-Ireland winning All-Star Frank McGlynn and current Donegal Senior star Paul Brennan both came along to show their support and spoke positively of the benefits of Handball to the other GAA codes, and for GAA Clubs to take up the game on a recreational basis for their members.
“There are fantastic cross-training benefits developed from playing Handball. I am lucky enough to have Handball facilities in my own club in Glenfin and would play regularly myself, for fun and fitness reasons,” said Brennan.
Brian McEniff is a man who will forever be engrained in Donegal folklore, having contributed decades of hugely successful service to his county as both a player and manager, including leading his county to their maiden All-Ireland title in 1992. It was great to have Brian in attendance yesterday, and he spoke of his own Handballing memories.
“I have very fond memories of my time playing Handball at St Macartans College in Monaghan. I played back in a time when kicking the handball was allowed believe it or not, but I clearly remember the game being a great benefit to my football career due to the hand-eye coordination I developed from playing.”
The sport is hoping to get the new National Handball Centre at Croke Park open this year. It is currently serving as a HSE Vaccination Centre.
The search is also underway for clubs to find new walls that they can line out as courts and continue the expansion of the sport.
Having played at school, I still have muscle memory of the tingle in my wrist after a game. If you’ve never played why not take the chance this summer, perhaps on a brand new court.
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