Handball makes welcome return to Bundoran to encourage new generation of players

Bundoran native and GAA Handball president, Conor McDonnell is encouraging locals to get involved in what will be the first handball initiative in the seaside resort in decades. 

The one-wall exhibition event takes place this Sunday (July 21) at Magh Ene College in Bundoran between 12 noon and 4pm.

Endorsing the historical initiative in the seaside resort, where the game was regularly played until the late 1960s he said: 

“Please come along and support the first handball event in Bundoran. Maybe some juveniles from Realt Na Mara Bundoran.”

He was supporting a call from Ballyshannon Handball’s Martin Corr who explained that the secondary school in Bundoran under the principalship of Pat Tighe, had been very encouraging, when first approached about including a one wall handball court, in its main school activities hall:

Martin told DonegalLive: “The main intention would be to encourage new potential young players to come over and see all of the activities on Sunday.

“We will see Seán MacCumhaill's handball star, Avril McNamee, who claimed the European One Wall Dutch Open title in Holland back in February in attendance with some younger players, as well as former county football star Frank McGlynn from Glenfin. He will also be bringing down some of the talented crop of new handballers from his club that are emerging within the county and which we also hope will encourage a new uptake from the Bundoran and Ballyshannon areas.

He pointed out that the one ball game is truly international an indoor location like Magh Ene College in Bundoran, was not affected by the same weather issues, as could happen, with the outdoor Mall ball alley in Ballyshannon, which he is also a huge fan of.  

“If anyone is interested in seeing some top juveniles play one wall, we are hosting the one wall tournament in Magh Ene college Bundoran on Sunday from around 12-5pm, if you are in the area pop in and see some great games. 

“We will also have players from Leitrim, Tyrone, Roscomon and Sligo showing off their skills alongside. They are some of the country's top juvenille players in what will be a great exhibition tournament.”

The old outdoor handball alley in Bundoran was situated just beside the main Bradóg bridge in the town and McGovern’s American House. 

Plans for a revival at that location were halted after it was identified as part of the Bundoran water treatment plant.

But great games, especially after Sunday Mass are well remembered by older citizens of the town.

If you are about the area, it should be well worth a visit and a reminder to Bundoran of its rich handball legacy, that should not be lost.