At the close of March the clocks go forward ushering in a new season replete with the promise of hot sunny days. This time of year also signifies a change for the Nation’s GAA Handballers. Leaving the 40/20 ball-alley behind, the emerging code of One Wall Handball has become a staple of the summer months.

Hosted by Teach Na Gaeilge and sponsored by Bord na Gaeilge, the Newman Fund and to the Athletics Union Council, the tournament ran from March 23–25, with the promotion of the Irish Language and fund-raising for the charity Croí as its core aims. All of the matches were refereed in Irish, and all participants were provided with a list of common phrases translated into Irish to facilitate their embrace of the weekend’s aims.

The weekend saw 100 players descend on the courts at UCD Sports Centre, 84 taking part in the main draw and 16 of UCD’s beginners embracing the game in an instructional mini-tournament hosted by Kilkenny hurling legend DJ Carey. A total of €400 was raised for Croí.

After leading this highly successful mini-tournament Carey spoke passionately about his love of handball, its usefulness for fitness and developing dexterity in his hurling career and the importance of our native language in modern Ireland.

To accommodate the mixture of experienced players and beginners interested in improving their handball skills and knowledge of Irish, the tournament-proper was separated into three divisions: Open, B and C.

It is indicative of the tournaments quality that the Open draw attracted many of the country’s top young senior players. UCD student Diarmaid Nash teamed up with NUIG’s Niall Malone and reached the final against the pairing of Stephen Cooney and Niall O’Connor – all senior players in their own right.

In the semifinal Nash – who is in terrific form, recently reaching the All Ireland senior singles semifinal – and Malone blitzed the pairing of Ciaran Neary (DCU) and Niall Mullally (TCD) 25-6. Cooney and O’Connor came through a much tighter semi against Donegal’s former under 21 All Ireland champions Mark McGowan and Paul FitzPatrick 25-14.

The final was an extraordinarily close run thing. Level on no less than 12 occasions, the teams went blow for blow until at 16-14 up Cooney and O’Conner pulled away to a 24-14 lead. Cooney – a three-time All Ireland Senior club champion with Mayo club Ballghaderreen – was controlling the court. His mix of low, hard spike-shots with high, looping lobs pulled the partnership of Nash and Malone apart. Once Cooney had accomplished this, O’Conner was invariably on hand to finish rallies off with his deadly left hand kills.

Cooney and O’Conner continued to play spectacular handball, but at this point Nash and Malone’s experience and consistency began to pay dividends. Having played with each other from childhood, Nash and Malone displayed an almost preternatural instinct for the others court position. This allowed them to regain their composure and level the match at 25-25.

Throughout the final Nash’s picks and gets were astounding. Showing huge athleticism and court awareness, he was not only able to retrieve seeming lost causes, but return them in such a way as to have Cooney and O’Conner scrambling themselves. Malone’s application of precision passing shots down the left hand line, and fly kills in the inside court won several quick points for the pairing.

As the match entered its final stages there were numerous 30 shot rallies, with the quality of handball on display simply breathtaking. Cooney and O’Conner showed signed that they would fight to the bitter end. However their good work when returning serve was not paid off with points. Heartened by this, Nash and Malone grew in determination and closed out the match 31-27.

This truly fantastic display of handball would not have been possible without the hugely appreciated sponsorship of Bord na Gaeilge, the Newman Fund and to the Athletics Union Council. The tournament organisers are hugely greatful for their support. Massive thanks also goes out to DJ Carey who gave his time to help promote the tournament’s aims.

Full List of Title Winners and Runners-Up:

Open: Diarmaid Nash/Niall Malone dft. Stephen Cooney/Niall O’Connor

Open Plate: Liam O Ceallagih/David Coyle dft. Christopher Gavaghan/Sam Temple

B Cup: Andrew Dowling/Pauric Townsend dft. Dan Breen/Stephen O’Dwyer

B Plate: Hilary Rushe/John Burke dft. Connor Callagan/Reamonn Martin

C Cup: Peter Clinton/David Finlay dft. Peter Harte/Conor Conway

C Plate: Colm McElwain/Ronan McQuillan dft. Sophie O’Connor/James Greevy