Handball is the “hidden gem of the GAA”
Launch of Mayo GAA Handball 5 Year Strategic Plan 2024-2029. From left: Alan Dillon T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Michael Lang (Mayo GAA PRO), Ciarán Burke (Cathaoirleach Mayo GAA Handball), Conor McDonnell, Uachtarán GAA Handball, Cllr Gerry Murray, Michael Heraty (Mayo GAA Handball Treasurer) and Mayo GAA Chairman Seamus Touhy at the launch in McHale Park. Picture: Michael McLaughlin
The Mayo GAA Handball Strategic Plan 2024-2029 was unveiled at last month’s County Board Meeting at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar.
County PRO Michael Lang, known through the county and beyond for his work with Tourmakeady Handball Club, Mr Lang made a thorough presentation to delegates at last month’s meeting where he gave an update on one of the country’s oldest sports, one which still yet to be discovered by young and old people today.
If GAA clubs want to grow a handball club, Mr Lang said all they would need is “a ball and a wall” and any help to start a handball club or make a basic handball court should contact him and support would be provided by the Mayo Handball Board.
Mr Lang added that the technical skills in handball can be transferred to other individual and team sports, particularly when it comes to turning right and left.
A great aspect of handball is that it can be played be all ages if the fitness level is there. There are 13 handball clubs in Mayo, all of which are very active with boys, girls and adults.
Chairman of Mayo Handball, Ciarán Burke, said the sport in general has not been utilised to its full potential.
“Our sport is the hidden gem of the GAA. It has a strong history but many people don’t have a lot of engagement with it because it has no presence in their area.” Mr Burke hopes the plan will see increased participations across the county.
“We will use the facilities present, we will engage with the clubs present and our aim is to increase participation levels across the county. We have plans to go into local schools and then with the hope that engagement there will transpire into the local clubs, and then further down the line will lead to the creation of new clubs.”
