UCD Handball History
niversity College Dublin has a long and rich tradition of handball, with significant success in both national and international 3rd Level tournaments over the past half-century.
Handball is currently thriving in the University with two newly constructed One-Wall Handball Courts, combined with the recent success in the All-Ireland Intervarsity Team Championships where the men’s team claimed the title and firmly established themselves as the top University team in Ireland. Two pivotal members of the team are Galway’s young protégé Martin Mulkerrins, and Clare’s Duirmuid Nash.
The two players, who have achieved major success both in Ireland and further afield in America throughout a glittering juvenile career, are exciting prospects and are widely regarded among handballing circles as future stars of the game. Mulkerrins and Nash are newcomers to the university this year and highlight the attraction UCD’s sport facilities brings to the youth of today.
Mulkerrins acknowledges this stating, ‘The UCD Sports Academy have been really helpful and forward thinking with the new court developments. Handball is undergoing a real boom at the minute and with the 2012 World Handball Championships being hosted by Ireland next October, the University has shown how progressive they are, and it really is great for the game that Dublin now has a top class facility which I am sure will draw Ireland’s top players to come for training purposes in the build up to next October.’
UCD Sports Centre Manager Paula Cashman told how ‘it only seemed logical to erect these new courts as they are such an excellent use of space, taking up very little floor space and don’t affect the playing areas of other sports. But as well as that, primary and secondary schools all over Ireland are putting up courts, with over 125 schools in the past two years alone developing new facilities, so we at UCD want to provide the opportunity for our future students to play handball at 3rd Level.’
To officially open the new courts, members of the Dublin Hurling squad were on hand to play a hugely entertaining tournament. Members of the current National Hurling League winning panel have been participating in weekly handball sessions to stay in top physical condition during the winter months, with regular attendees including Ryan O’ Dwyer, Daithi O’Callaghan, Johnny McCaffery, Niall Corcoran, Shane Ryan, Cian McBride and Daire Plunkett. The players have been utilising the facilities of GAA clubs in St Marks, St Brigid’s and Tomas Davis, and have all shown real progression and a great enthusiasm for the game with the help of Enda Timoney who has been on hand to provide coaching tips to the players.
Shane Ryan, who is a primary school teacher, displayed his new found appreciation for handball stating, ‘It’s a really addictive game that provides a great workout without you even realising, owing to the fun you are having. I have already arranged that my school will be taking part in the GAA Handball One-Wall Schools Initiative that will be starting in January as I think the children will love it.’
The tournament itself quickly became very competitive when the players realised they were being videoed for a television feature being released in January 2012. In the Double’s Final, Shane Ryan joined forces with UCD student Sam Temple to defeat Ryan O’Dwyer and Cian McBride on a 15-10 score-line with, as expected, exceptional athleticism shown by all involved. In the Single’s Final, Daithi O’Callaghan defeated Johnny McCaffery in a closer encounter, prevailing 15-13 after an array of late ‘kill shots’ sealed the win. The winning players were provided with the new promotional 2012 World Championship handball jerseys.
GAA Handball National Development Officer Darragh Daly reported, ‘It is great that the players have taken to it so strongly. They all now realise the benefits handball can bring to their own sport which include improving hand-eye co-ordination, speed, agility, and importantly developing both sides of the body. The majority of the players are Games Promotion Officers and teachers in the Dublin area and are all eager to introduce handball to their respective clubs and schools which is great for the future of the sport. Credit must also go to UCD for allowing this venture to take off, as they were only too willing to help in the development of handball. It is really encouraging for our game that one of Ireland’s top Universitys has come on board and acknowledged the massive potential the sport has.’
An exciting year lies ahead for GAA Handball with 2000 competitors from over 33 countries attending the World Handball Championships being held in the Citywest Hotel Dublin next October. A major promotional drive in schools and clubs in Dublin and throughout Ireland will be undertaken in the build up to the event with coaching sessions and resources being provided to any school/ club who wishes to take part.
The victories of Emer NI Fhalluin and Marianna Rushe from 2007 to 2010 in the World Intercollegiate Championships are the highlights of a glorious era for handball in UCD. We are lucky to have people like Declan Smith and Darragh Ruane running our club so efficiently.
The 2005 season was an outstanding one with our team finishing in sixth place in the US Collegiates in Wisconsin . The team captain and inspiration was Shane Hennelly from Roscommon, Cavan's Patrick Finnegan, the two Clerkins and John Horgan made up the team. We also reached the All Ireland Colleges final that year. Tremendous effort by the committee has revitalized the club, long may it continue. The efforts of Pat Devereux, Annette Farrel and our greatest supporters Bridin and Aodhan O’Maoilagain amongst others should not be forgotten.
Emer Fallon, UCD's Handball World Champion
2001
The club had a great year in 2001 winning the Intervarsity Blitz and performing well in the 40x20 intervarsites in Tralee. The 1st Team comprised of Alan Pearson (1st Singles) Brendan Barry and Thomas Lonergan (Doubles) and Séan Óg Gargan (2nd Singles did very well reaching the semi final disposing of DIT and DCU along the way. The 2nd team also played well and all team members took part in the single competition with four UCD players reaching the last 16. Outside the intervarsity circuit the club was represented by past and present members in the Dublin Spring League where they faced the Garda team in the quarter finals and O’Tooles A in the semi final who narrowly beat them on aggregate score.
Glory in 2004
In 2004 the club won the Intervarsity event which was staged across a number of venues in Dublin . The team was captained by Shane Hennelly who doubled up with John Horgan. The two singles comprised of Tommy Lonergan and Ronan Gollogly.
Furthermore, the club won the 40x20 Dublin League beating DIT in an exciting final. Once again captain Shane Hennelly doubled up with the up and coming John Horgan. The two singles were James Clerkin and Brendan Barry with Damien McDonagh also proving useful. Shane Hennelly and the two times USHA champion and multiple All-Ireland winner Patrick Finnegan travelled to Missouri in the United States having Qualified for the 2004 World Collegiates. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the senior doubles event. Also, they both departed at the quarter final stages of their respective singles tournaments.
Patrick Finnegan, Player of the Year 2004, receives his award from Nick Egan of C&C. The club is thriving through the efforts of students and graduates such as Alan Pearson, Bridin Ui Mhaolagan and with the very valuable assistance of GAA officer David Billings.
Back in 2004 the year’s committee consisted of the following:
1. President: Aidan Mulligan
2. Chairperson: Bridin Ui Mhaolagan
3. Club Captain: Shane Hennelly
4. P.R.O.: Damien McDonagh
5. Secretary: John Horgan
6. Treasurer: Tommy Lonergan
7. Senior Treasurer: Dave Billings
Colleges Handball in Ireland
Third Level Handball in Ireland is on the way up with increased participation in all grades. Throughout the course of 2005 more and more college students have started to enjoy the benefits of being in the fastest growing sector in Irish Handball.
In January, DIT Handball Club organised a One Wall Doubles tournament which was held in Croke Park . Players from UL, DIT, DCU UCD and many locals took part in what was an excellent display of One Wall Handball. Within three weeks, we were all on our way to Galway for the 40x20 Intervarsities. Due to the large number of entrants we had to make use of seven courts for three days. With the new drop down format, all players got at least three competitive games and it bodes well for the future. The Men’s A Winner was Dessie Keegan (DIT) with Charlie Shanks (QUB) taking the runners up position. In the Ladies A Singles, Maria Daly (UCC) had the upper hand over her sister Sharon Daly (UL).
Following the long summer break and then a hectic recruitment campaign during Freshers Week, the new and not so new members of the Colleges headed off to Roscommon for the 60x30 Intervarsities. With 70 entrants, this was the biggest 60x30 IV’s ever with 16 players from UL alone. There was some fierce competition and some even fiercer socialising done throughout the weekend. With loads of new members here, the future is bright. In the Men’s A Singles, Joe McCann (SIT) took his first Singles title with a win over our own Patrick Finnegan (UCD).
In the A Team, SIT had a close win over UCD. The teams were SIT: Joe McCann, Niall McGrath, Chris Doolin and Brian Brennan. UCD were composed of the following: Patrick Finnegan, Patrick Clerkin, John Horgan and Shane Hennelly. In the Ladies A Singles, Maria Daly (UCC) took her 3rd consecutive 60x30 Singles title and her 6th IV title over all with a good win over Caitriona Casey of NUIG. More results on (opens in a new window)www.handball.ie.
Next up on the Calendar will be the 40x20 Team Championships which are due to be held at Dublin Venues on the 9th-11th December. Grades available will b Men’s A, B, C and Ladies Doubles.
Following the 40x20 IV’s, all eyes will focus on the World Collegiate Handball C-Ships which are scheduled for February 2006 in College Station, Houston, Texas . With an expected Irish contingent of 40, expect big things to happen and some annoyed Americans…sure what’s new?
Handball stars Shane Hennelly, Emer Fallon and Pat Finnegan at one of the club's socials