Where's the handball?

Pixel Eater

You never really hear about handball. It's not really covered by the newspapers or the media in general; I see an odd handball alley around - usually in a dilapidated state though - but that's about it. It wasn't part of any club near me growing up either.

It does have a small core support/participation in certain locations but that seems about it. Why doesn't the GAA promote it more?

PARlance

Where's the Rounders?

It would be nice to see them push the lesser GAA sports a bit more.

Pixel Eater

PARlance wrote: »

Where's the Rounders?

It would be nice to see them push the lesser GAA sports a bit more.

Agreed. I suppose you do see Rounders played in schools a bit. Or at least they used to.

Testosterscone

Pixel Eater wrote: »

You never really hear about handball. It's not really covered by the newspapers or the media in general; I see an odd handball alley around - usually in a dilapidated state though - but that's about it. It wasn't part of any club near me growing up either.

It does have a small core support/participation in certain locations but that seems about it. Why doesn't the GAA promote it more?

Still going, world championships were held in Citywest back in 2012 with decent success by Irish.

Unfortunately is being driven by clubs where there is already an interest from members rather that being developed by GAA. Still quite big in many Sligo/Mayo clubs and Munster but doesn't seem to be any drive centrally which is a pity as strong efforts are being made to get it introduced into the Olympics.

PARlance

Pixel Eater wrote: »

Agreed. I suppose you do see Rounders played in schools a bit. Or at least they used to.

I grew up in one of the few areas that played it..passed many a summers when we were younger, training for the community games.

There are about 6 or so (afaik) senior clubs around the Country that play against each other regularly. My own club launched again this year after a few decades out of the equation. Seems to be a bit of a revival going on which is good to see.

Played a bit of handball in Secondary School, great sport too.

Pixel Eater

Testosterscone wrote: »

Still going, world championships were held in Citywest back in 2012 with decent success by Irish.

Unfortunately is being driven by clubs where there is already an interest from members rather that being developed by GAA. Still quite big in many Sligo/Mayo clubs and Munster but doesn't seem to be any drive centrally which is a pity as strong efforts are being made to get it introduced into the Olympics.

Which makes it even more perplexing since there's an international dimension, which you'd think would increase interest.

Since it's an individual sport and requires relatively little equipment or space the GAA are missing a trick enticing people into their fold, who otherwise would never participate in Gaelic games.

phkk

PARlance wrote: »

I grew up in one of the few areas that played it..passed many a summers when we were younger, training for the community games.

There are about 6 or so (afaik) senior clubs around the Country that play against each other regularly. My own club launched again this year after a few decades out of the equation. Seems to be a bit of a revival going on which is good to see.

Played a bit of handball in Secondary School, great sport too.

I think they have a couple of clubs that play rounders in Carlow, none here in Kilkenny. It's a great game to play. I think it could be as popular and enjoyable and social as the likes of tag rugby, interfirms tennis. I know when you retire from hurling/football, there's not a lot you can do, apart from coaching etc. Wouldn't it be great craic to have a rounders game for us auld lads/ladies during the summer with a few burgers/bottles?!!

PARlance

phkk wrote: »

I think they have a couple of clubs that play rounders in Carlow, none here in Kilkenny. It's a great game to play. I think it could be as popular and enjoyable and social as the likes of tag rugby, interfirms tennis. I know when you retire from hurling/football, there's not a lot you can do, apart from coaching etc. Wouldn't it be great craic to have a rounders game for us auld lads/ladies during the summer with a few burgers/bottles?!!

Massive potential if they got behind it. It's an ideal sport for that. A great social game with a little bit of competitiveness. Our club team would be made up mainly of people who have stopped playing football. There's a ladies team and a mixed team... not sure if there's a mens team planned or if there's a men's competition.

The ladies compete in the All Ireland Senior Ladies, they've been around the country lately. Just had a look at their facebook page, 10 teams in the league.

Mayo (1), Roscommon (3), Dublin (3), Carlow (1), Wexford (1), Laois (1).

From my youth, I know there are pockets in Cavan, Monaghan and Limerick that also have a tradition. The Heath in Laois were always our strongest competition at the time. I'm one of a few Mayo men to have a national title in a GAA sport sadly.

judeboy101

handball suffered/suffers from a lot of top heavy vested interested running the show up in CP, imho.

Bonniedog

Croke Park is currently engaged in a rather unseemly dispute with the handball club beside Hill 16. Relations are not good. Was a time when RTE used to regularly show games. Can't remember last time I saw handball on TV.

Rounders used to be huge game in Dublin years ago as part of community games. Sister won a medal in it. One of games that gave rise to baseball obviously.

Pixel Eater

phkk wrote: »

I think they have a couple of clubs that play rounders in Carlow, none here in Kilkenny. It's a great game to play. I think it could be as popular and enjoyable and social as the likes of tag rugby, interfirms tennis. I know when you retire from hurling/football, there's not a lot you can do, apart from coaching etc. Wouldn't it be great craic to have a rounders game for us auld lads/ladies during the summer with a few burgers/bottles?!!

Handball could also be a good option for players finished in the football/hurling teams.

Bonniedog wrote: »

Croke Park is currently engaged in a rather unseemly dispute with the handball club beside Hill 16. Relations are not good. Was a time when RTE used to regularly show games. Can't remember last time I saw handball on TV.

Rounders used to be huge game in Dublin years ago as part of community games. Sister won a medal in it. One of games that gave rise to baseball obviously.

Seems to be consistent with what the previous poster said. Any idea what the dispute is over? Weren't they suppose to build new handball courts in Croker?

Bonniedog

My take on it, and it is purely individual!, is that they resent the fact that the handball club does very well when there is a big game and the bar is full. They obviously want people inside swilling the muck they serve :-)

If that is the basis then it is extremely petty way of carrying on.

Don't think Croke Park could give a somersaulting fart about handball to be honest.


This is the club's side of the story:

http://www.crokeparkcommunityhandballcentre.com/

Pixel Eater

Bonniedog wrote: »

My take on it, and it is purely individual!, is that they resent the fact that the handball club does very well when there is a big game and the bar is full. They obviously want people inside swilling the muck they serve :-)

If that is the basis then it is extremely petty way of carrying on.

Don't think Croke Park could give a somersaulting fart about handball to be honest.


This is the club's side of the story:

http://www.crokeparkcommunityhandballcentre.com/

Pretty shocking that they're actually suing a GAA club.

I guess with the GAA's general lack of enthusiasm for handball, they're not one of the major forces pushing for it's inclusion in the Olympics...

Bonniedog

The Croke Park thing is just pure meanness as far as I can see. The handball club is packed on big match days, and for all Dublin league games. GAA resent the fact that money is not being spent inside! I don't think it actually goes beyond that.

nice_guy80

they want the land the club is on

Bonniedog

Yes, but the incentive is to close them down for "competitive" reasons. It would be a shame if they were to succeed.


There was some deal last year but not certain what end result will be, and know there are stillpeople annoyed about it.