Old handball court to get new lease of life

By Stuart Tynan

THERE are hopes an old alley located in a west Mayo village will be restored to its former glory as an outdoor court by the local handball club.

Founded in 2018, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Handball is one of several new social groups that were set up in the community following the opening of its superb GAA sports centre in the village.

The majority of the club's members are newcomers and play at a recreational level, forging great friendships with other clubs in Mayo and around the country.

Michael Lang, secretary of Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Handball Club, told The Connaught Telegraph: “We had two great years in 2018 and 2019, but then last year everything shut down. A few of us played outdoors in a place called Cully on the Sligo/Mayo border. It’s the way the game was always played.

"With Covid-19, it’s the only realistic thing we have for playing in the months to come until things get back to normality.

“The motivation for the new ball court in the short-term is to enable us to return to activity in a safe outdoor environment. In the longer term, it will give us somewhere where we can meet and play on a fine summer's evening, as once was a rural tradition in every village in Mayo.”

There are only two outdoor courts in Mayo currently in use: in Kiltimagh and another court in Swinford. Sadly, many old alleys across the county have fallen into disrepair over the years.

“These courts were once part of every single village in the west of Ireland, but it fell away," said Michael.

"We hope this new ball court will benefit all local handball clubs and be used for other sports and activities.

“The side walls of the new ball court will be faced with local stone, a nod to the old stone-built alleys that once stood in the parish."

Upon planning permission being granted, it is hoped the new court will be ready for play this summer.