2024 Joe Guilfoyle Memorial Handball Tournament in Ballyshannon 

The twice cancelled Joe Guilfoyle Memorial handball doubles tournament finals due to the incessant rains of June finally go to get played on Sunday, June 23 at the outdoor Mall handball alley in Ballyshannon.

The yearly handball tourney, had been sponsored for many years by Ballyshannon native, Joe Gulfoyle, until his passing in 2022 in Waterford, but his legacy continues with this Memorial Tournament which is now sponsored by Kevin Byrne & Son Coaches.

Winners and runners up at the tournament,  which was played in perfect handball weather included winners Jimmy Gormley and Jessie McCormack with runners up, Robert Lawne and Colin Walsh.

The presentations were made by Joe’s longtime friend Denis McGuinness who is also the treasurer of the Ballyshannon Handball Club.

He told DonegalLive: “This time for the first time ever, it was a cash prize,” and added jokingly, “we turned professional”.

“It was a cash prize of €100 each for the winners and the runners up received the balance of what was left of the entry fees of €10 a head.

“We got a few extra phone calls on the Sunday morning, that for different reasons could not participate and would have participated, but having to cancel on two previous Sundays because of the rain, simply did not help and if we had left it for another weekend, it would have clashed with the All Ireland quarter finals. 

“We would like to thank Kevin for continuing to honour Joe’s legacy to the earlier tournaments and it was a good day of handball and Sunday’s conditions were ideal.”

Also present was chairperson Michael Galagher and secretary Robert Lawne.