Club Information

After a long absence, we completed in the recent 40 x 20 Juvenile Handball championships having recently reformed the club. Great credit is due to Boysie Hogan, Eamon Spillane and Christy Collins for organising and coaching the boys who really enjoyed their introduction to this sport. Shane Hennessy won the North A U13 singles and we had recent success in the North B championships, among the winners were; U15D James Mackey & Michael Collins, U13S Aaron Hogan, U14D Eoin Meagher & John Cahalan. Jack Sheedy, Philip Hickey and Brendan O’Brien also played great handball in these championships and all are looking forward to next Autumn when we would like to see more new members to continue the great handball tradition in Nenagh.

The town of Nenagh is renowned for its handball champions has a proud and distinguished tradition. The game flourished and set a high standard particularly during the years 1930-1960. Handball in the 1920’s was played at the Alley in Pidgeons Land, Silver Street. Then the Shamrock Club 3 Ball Alley in Silver Street, to which a back wall was added, was the main source of action. Many of the town’s champions sprung from this Court. The C.B.S. Alley in John’s Lane was a great Nursery and played a big part in developing many of the champions from the 4O’s to 60’s.

Indeed in acknowledgement of the contribution to handball in the town, Nenagh U.D.C. in 2001, erected a plaque on the wall at Shannon Development (Shamrock Club), in Silver Street, in honour of the All-Ireland handball champions of Nenagh, from 1934-2000. They were Joe Hassett, Ned Hassett, Joe Bergin, Paddy Kennedy, Jackie Sweeney, Connie Cleere, Michael O’Gorman, Michael McMahon, Denis Carey, John Rice, Tommy Cleere, Paddy Gleeson, Michael “Boysie” Hogan and Pat Cleary.

Due to the lack of a Ballcourt in Nenagh for a long number of years, handball has not been developing as we would wish, however Nenagh Eire Og had the foresight to include a very modem 40 x 20 ballcourt in the Complex at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh which has been the venue for many provincial and All-Ireland championships.