GAA exhibition honours one of Mayo's finest
Martin Hennigan, with his wife Therese at the Croke Park display which honours the achievements of the Swinford native.
He has won what no other Mayo man has won before or since, and to this day his achievements on the handball court mark him down as one of the greatest the game in this country has ever seen, and now the exploits of Martin Hennigan have been put on display for all the public to see as part of the Transatlantic Connections exhibition at the Croke Park Museum in Dublin.
The exhibition, which was launched last Wednesday, explores the powerful cultural and sporting ties between Ireland and North America, through the stories of athletes, communities and families who carried traditions across the Atlantic.
Martin Hennigan, a native of Cloonfinish, Swinford, enjoyed a handball career that brought success at the very highest levels of the sport both in Ireland and the US.
Having first won the All-Ireland Novice Championship in 1979, Martin went on to dominate the 1980s with victories on both the 40x20 and 60x30 courts. He also represented Ireland at the US Nationals and became the first Irish player to win the prestigious 40x20 Top Ace Title which was held in the United States since the competition’s commencement in 1973.
Martin Hennigan, pictured above with his wife Therese at the display in his honour at the exhibition, remains the only Mayo man to have won the All-Ireland senior singles championship in the 40x20 division.
