A club that has punched above its weight for years
COOLBOY HANDBALL CLUB has produced some of the finest players to grace handball courts anywhere in the world. Michael Gregan, Jerome Willoughby, Shauna Hilley and Patricia Doyle are just four names that slide off the tongue and wouldn’t be out of place in any discussion about top players anywhere.
Over the years the club has brought back many provincial, national and world titles to the small community with 2012 being a wonderful year when six one wall world titles were won in Citywest on what was a magical event for the club.
Eight players have claimed world honours at four wall.
One Wall: Pat Doyle, Richard
Willoughby, Sammy Willoughby, Robbie Willoughby, James Gregan, Chris Doyle, won in Citywest in 2012.
Four Wall: Michael Gregan, Shauna Hilley, Patricia Doyle, Jerome Willoughby, Chris Doyle, Rochard Willoughby Jnr, Jason Doyle, Pat Quaile
To put these wins into context for someone not familiar with the sport, these are crowns won while playing against the best players in the world who are currently competing at that level. James Gregan puts his usual calm manner towards explaining how difficult it would be to win a world crown.
‘It wouldn’t be easy. You have to put a lot of training in. I started when I was six years old and I won mine (world title) when I was 32 so it took me 26 years to win one.
You’re playing against the best players that have been playing it. It’s only America and Ireland really, although it’s taking off in England now,’ he added.
While admitting that his brother Michael is the best player ever produced by Coolboy Handball Club, he says that Paul Brady is the best he’s ever seen beyond that.
‘Best player I’ve ever seen in my life was Paul Brady. Before that, Ducksie Walsh was very good, DJ Carey was very good.
‘There are serious handball players there but of this era Paul Brady is the best there is.
‘If you played Paul Brady, he wouldn’t let you have over 10 aces in any game. It’s in his control. Any game. And if you were to get 10 over him, god love you in the next game. Unreal.’