Hundreds of handball enthusiasts gathered in Mayo over the weekend for the inaugural G.O. (Girls Only) Handball event in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland. With almost 150 players, there was plenty of exciting on-court action, with hundreds of family and friends of the handballers also making their way to the West to enjoy proceedings.
On Saturday, a busy day of play at six 40x20 venues saw games in eight grades from U-11 to adult beginners, with the finals in each grade taking place at An Sportlann in Castlebar.
Current Irish number one seed, Antrim’s Aisling Reilly and reigning All-Ireland Champion, Maria Daly (Kerry) served up a thriller in the Ladies Open Final, with the young onlookers stunned by the performances of the two stars of the game. It was the Saffron County lady who took honours in two straight games to wrap up the days action, after finals in all grades drew to conclusion.
“It was great to have two of the biggest names in the women’s game take part in the event,” said GAA Handball National Media and Development Officer, Niamh Egan.
“The kids were buzzing after watching their final, and with such a high standard in some of the underage grades, I’m sure plenty of them will make senior status soon.”
Sunday’s action saw all players take to the five one-wall courts at Breaffy House Hotel for the ‘Handball Tag’ One-Wall Fun Day, which proved a major success, as young and old played side by side.
‘Handball Tag’ saw teams of two players take part in two singles and one doubles games over 15 minutes, with continuous scoring.
“It was great fun and everyone really enjoyed it – the tagging in the next player added a bit of excitement to it all as well,” said Galway’s Bairbre Ní Ainlí, one of the mothers who took part in the event.
Bairbre and daughter, Sinead, both collected titles on Saturday, with Sinead taking the 17 and Under title, and Bairbre winning through in a very competitive beginners ‘Challenger’ grade. There were also dozens of other ‘mother and daughter’ combinations in action in this unique event, which looks certain to become a regular on the GAA Handball calendar.
“The weekend was about getting female players together for a fun two days of handball, while meeting new people and making friends, and it was a very successful event,” said Egan.
A raffle, as well as sale of hoodies and a percentage of entry fee, will all go towards Breast Cancer Ireland and hopes are high that the €2,000 mark will be hit once proceeds are counted.
Meanwhile, and also in the West, Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy retained his John Gaffney Memorial Tournament title where he defeated Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy in the final, following a weekend of top class senior handball.
