Handballers welcomed home
HANDBALL SUPPORTERS and members of Taghmon GAA Club were out in force to celebrate the achievements of three brothers who competed on the international stage last month.
Mark, Bobby and Conor Doyle from Traceystown, Taghmon took part in the World Handball Championships in Minnesota, bringing home five medals between them. The boys come from a family steeped in handball history - their great uncle, the late John Doyle, won numerous All Irelands.
Mark (14) secured a silver medal in the U15 singles one-wall competition. Paired with Josh Kavanagh from St Joseph’s Handball Club in Wexford town, the duo took home gold in both the U15 one-wall doubles, and the 40x20 competition.
Unfortunately injury prevented 13-year-old Bobby from going beyond semi-final stages but he had performed very strongly until his shoulder halted play.
Finally, 10-year-old Conor picked up two bronze medals for U11 one-wall and 40x20 competitions. He was partnered with Cian Dunning from Cork for both events.
The handballing trio are the sons of Robert and Helen (nee O’Keeffe) Doyle and all three have been playing the sport from a very young age.
They started out in St Joseph’s but when Taghmon Handball Club revived a few years ago, they followed their roots home to the local club.
The family was joined by former handballing greats and GAA Chairman Ger Kelly made a presentation to all of the boys to honour their achievements.
Among the guests was the boys’ great aunt Maggie Morrissey, a sister of the late John Doyle, who could barely contain her pride at the acheivements of the trio.
Sharon Murphy, Chairperson of Coiste na nÓg said the Doyle family was very well respected in the local community, something that was emphasised by the numbers that turned up for the event. She said that all in attendance had a great night and that it ran on ‘a little bit late’!