An Insight into the Area We Live in

Derrymullen Cradle of Local Handball...
BY Brian CiepIerski
In December of 1985 the new look Derrymullen Handball
Alley was officially opened. With the 30 year anniversary
of the alley passing by, it’s interesting to recall the growth
and development of the sport, the facilities and the
exciting plans for the upcoming year. With a dedicated
following and outstanding members it is no wonder why
the alley and club has been such a successful one.
The alley’s history stretches back to 1926, when the station master stopped
a group of young Derrymullen folk from playing handball on the walls of
the train station. From this action, bred the Derrymullen Handball Club.
The first meeting being held in a local house, the original 3 officers
of the club and a plan to build an alley were formed. They agreed
with Mrs Guinnessy RIP to rent a site for £3 per year and planned
to build the alley on that ground. From this first letting came the
purchase and the projects to build and upgrade the alley as they
began to build in 1926, with the raising of the walls and laying of the
floor, to the buying of the property for £35 in 1946 and to the adding
of a glass wall in the 1950s.
In 1977 after vandalism and complaints from the locality, the Committee
decided to close the alley down until a roof and proper security was
George M. Coyle & Co. has
been established in Society
Street, Ballinasloe since 1985.
Our main services include:
• Company Audit
• Accounts Preparation
• Taxation
• Management Consultancy
• Company Secretarial
Authorised by the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in Ireland to carry out
Audit Work & Investment Business.
applied to it. Planning permission came through in 1983 to do so and a
new Committee and Officers for the Handball club were elected.
They decided to raise as much money as possible for the new roof
and alley to be 40x20 ft, have showers, a kitchen, seating and
changing rooms. This involved some high profile fundraising which
showed the dedication from the locality and committee. Pat Joe
Guinnessey then Club Secretary recalls “There was a 5 man relay
marathon running 60 miles, containing the then Galway football
team goalie and other handball members. The famous Clipper
Carlton showband made an appearance, famous in the 50s and 60s
and as the Tuam Herald reported in 1986. After the renovations in
1985, Bishop of Clonfert Dr Joseph Cassidy even celebrated mass in
the alley! “.
With such an impressive alley and magnificent support it is of no surprise
to know of the success the club experienced during this time. All-Ireland
champions plied their craft in this alley, for example Paddy Delaney was
a Junior Single and Doubles champion with Eamon Rabbitte in 1986. The
youths at this time represented the club in a Connacht final too. The club
also enjoyed success in the Racquet ball events with Brendan Loughnane
winning the inter-firms championship.
The club did fall on hard times in 1990 with the bank threatening
to foreclose the alley due to the overhanging debt, but 12 loyal
members pooled their resources, got loans form the Credit Union
and saved the alley!
Now the 9 committee members led by Officers : Chairman Dermot
Connolly, Secretary Cristel Donnelly, Treasurer Brian Moylan and the club
are looking to the future.
With a freshly painted alley and a Town Council grant of €27,000 to
repair and refurbish, great strides are being made. The club was
represented in an All-Ireland semi-final and a Connacht final, and
having county champions has shown its class.
County Champions last season were - Peter Mulryan ( previous numerous
All Ireland Champion , with last success in 2004) doubles were Matthew
Kenny and Colin Mitchell.Connacht Finals - Doubles were Matthew Kenny
and Colin Mitchell. Also U-10s winner was Matthew Kenny’s son, James.
There are plans for a Juvenile club to be created for the 2016 season
and the implementation of memorial cups. A bright future lays in
store for this club and there is great room to build!
Peter Mulryan is teaching local schools handball, was covered in 2009 by
TG4 for 6 episodes.
Anyone interested in joining should contact Cristel Donnelly or
check out their fbook page Derrymullen-Handball-Club-Ballinasloe.
Chartered Accountants
& Registered Auditors,
Society Street, Ballinasloe
50 SPORT
T 090 964 2995
F 090 96 42956
E coylegm@eircom.net
Front Row L-R: P.J. Guinnessy, Brendan Loughnane, Sean Kelly,
Mike Kennedy, Peter Mulryan, Mike Daly. Back Row L-R: Vincent
Earls, John Burke, Padraic Hanrahan (Builder), Paddy Delaney,
Tomás O Baoill, Sean Tully, Sean Kelly.