Ballymacelligott is Ireland's top Handball Club 1998 by Tim Griffin

The Ballymacelligott Handball Club, which enjoyed many glory days in the 60s and 70s, saw the good times return in 1998 through the arrival on the scene of a new generation of top-class exponents of the ancient game of handball. The successes gained over the past year were fittingly acknowledged by the Irish Handball Council at a glittering banquet in Croke Park on Saturday 1st May 1999 when the title of Irelands top Handball Club of 1998 were bestowed on Ballymacelligott. Other award winners in Handball were announced and there was also a celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Irish handball Council.
Among the award winners announced by Master of ceremonies Mick Dunne were:
Best Coach:Richard Willoughy, Wicklow;
Best Official: Ken Conway, Clonmel;
Best Player (male), Walter O Connor (Meath),
Best Player (female),
Best Juvenile (male): Dessie Keegan Mayo;
Best juvenile (female): Lydia Doolan, Roscommon;
Best International Player: Paul Brady, Cavan;
Special Award: Brother Seamus O Callaghan Offaly;
Best veteran : Paddy Lennon, Wicklow.
The various category winners were duly acclaimed as they collected their awards.
But the best ovation of the night greeted the announcement that Ballymacelligott was winner of the much prized club award.
The Ballymacelligott contingent heard Mick Dunne refer to the many successes achieved by Ballymacelligott in the 60's and 70's. He went on to say that a valley period followed. But the successes gained by the 60 plus boys and girls, all between the ages of 8 and 17, simply had to be acclaimed.
Among those who made the 400-mile trip to Croke Park included Pat Slattery, Maureen O Shea, Eamon Moriarty, Tim McSwiney, Brendan and Eileen Falvey and Tom and Margaret Daly.
As Club Chairman, I had the pleasure of accepting the Waterford Glass Trophy, suitably inscribed. However let me say in all modesty that I had little to do with the successes gained in 1998. The bulk of the praise is due to those Ballymacelligott people who coached the young starlets and provided transport to all parts of Ireland for the players. The dedication shown throughout the year went above and beyond the call of duty. At this juncture, I don't think it appropriate to mention the names of some of the players involved. In my book, all 60 of them were heroes and heroines. Among the Croke Park attendance on Saturday night was reigning world champion, Jim Bike of the United States. There, too, was the Kilkenny man, Duxie Walsh, who has won more Irish titles than any player in Handball history has has. Present also was current Irish Champion, Walter O Connor, of Meath who made the big breakthrough to All-Ireland glory after many years of trying. The Ballymacelligott contingent took the opportunity of renewing acquaintances with the great players who played against Ballymacelligott representatives in the past. Chief among these was Dick Lyng and Seamus Buggy who had many titanic tussles with Roundy and Murty McEllistrim back in the 60's. Dick Lyng, a sportsman to his fingertips, had been quite ill in recent years and it was great to see him receive the Hall of Fame award this year. Lyng and Buggy like many other players of the past were enquiring all through the night as to how Roundy was getting on. The great Joey Maher told us the story that after he won the World Title in the early 70's he was working in the Kerry area. He visited the Ballymacelligott Court and who was there but "Roundy" in a pair of wellingtons. Joey Maher produced a handball and proposed a game. Roundy readily agreed and, to Maher's amazement, he played as well, "wellingtons and all". To the World Champions further amazement, Roundy proceeded to win the game on a 20/21 scoreline. Surely Roundy must be elevated to the Hall of Fame in the future.
In connection with the 75th Anniversary of the Irish Handball Council, an invitation tournament was staged over the weekend. Ballymacelligott had one player in action --Maria Daly in the u15 category. Maria won her way to the final before having to give best to Roscommon starlet Lydia Doolan who is a year older than the up-and -coming Kerry player.
The achievements of the Ballymacelligott Juveniles Handball Club during 1998 included: Two All Ireland Championship titles, two Community Games National Titles, one Féile Na nGael divisional winner, two Cumann Na mBunscoil national titles. The juvenile club also ran a Juvenile Ladies Munster Tournament; an O/40 fun tournament on St Patrick's day; an annual skills award day for beginners, a summer camp from June to September with the help from Students from Summer scheme run by Department of Social Community and Family Affairs; a foundation coaching session with the National Coach which twelve members attended; regular training sessions for boys and girls, competed at events far and wide to gain experience; organised a supporters club to support the players in competition. Renovations carried out on the Ballymacelligott handball courts recently include the erection of a new roof on the 60 x 30 court. A major reconstruction job has also been carried out on the spectators' gallery. A new floor has also been put in place in the 40 x 20 court. Further improvements are planned.
The Ballymacelligott club is highly appreciative of the financial help received from the National Lottery and from Partnership Tralee. Thanks too to Lee Strand for their help, which includes sponsorship of the club singlets.