Sister Act: Glenbeigh handballers in focus
TWO talented and extremely promising Mid Kerry handball players are set to kick-start the pioneering revival of Women’s handball in Kerry. Over the coming years it will be a case of aces high for sisters Maggie and Clodagh Quirke, students at Glenbeigh National School, and members of Glenbeigh Handball Club.
Currently Women’s handball in Kerry is failing to replicate the herculean days of the early 2000s when Ballymacelligott Handball Club boasted some of the top female stars in Ireland. Among the pioneering stars of that era were 2009 All Ireland 60x30 Doubles champions the Prendeville sisters, Maebh and Ashley. Ashley also won three All Ireland Singles . Another star of that time was the All Ireland Intermediate runner up, Catriona Casey. Also on that list of incredible players was multi All
Ireland champion Marie Daly, the 2008 All Ireland Under 17 60x30 Doubles winners Alanna Diggin (Tralee Fitzgerald Jones Club) and Hazel Prendeville (Ballymacelligott) and Munster 2009 Under 12 60x30 champions Michaela O’Donoghue and Aisling O’Brien.
Now that victory torch has been passed to the Quirke sisters who began their handball sporting career in 2019 with the best possible outcome in Cavan. Representing Munster at the All Ireland Cumann na mBunscol Handball finals in Kingscourt they won the prestigious Under 11 Doubles title. This was a spectacular success for the duo who began playing the sport during the previous Summer.
“Before we travelled to Cavan we took part in the Munster championships in Broadford. We were delighted and a little surprised to beat off teams from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary in our first major tournament. Following the medal presentation it was announced we were part of the Munster team for the All Ireland finals. We were thrilled with this honour,” said Maggie (10).
The energy sapping sport that requires stamina, speed, agility and control of the ball travelling at speeds in excess of 35 Km per hour proved no obstacle for the Mid Kerry girls.
“Playing in the All Ireland final was a big step up for us. We were playing more experienced players and had to work extremely hard for a win. The final was a tense and exciting affair. We won our first game 15-11 and in a pulsating second game edged ahead 15-14 to win the title at the expense of Kilkenny,” said Clodagh (8).
Clodagh and Maggie are following in the footsteps of their famous father and mentor, John Joe Quirke, winner of the World Masters title in the U.S.A. two years ago. He is also the holder of 10 All Ireland titles at various grades.
This year has begun in whirlwind style for the Glenbeigh players.
In January, Clodagh won the
Kerry Juvenile Under 10 Singles championship in Glenbeigh. A week later in Lispole she was again on the winners podium, this time at the Kerry Cumann na mBunscol championships with a spectacular victory in the Under 11 Singles competition.
Maggie was equally impressive as the handball season kicked off in January.
At the County Juvenile championships in Glenbeigh she won the Under 12 Singles title with a polished display to take the prestigious title. She also teamed up with Oliver Mason (Ballymacelligott) to win the Under 12 Mixed Doubles title adding to her reputation as a promising versatile player.
Currently handball has been suspended due to the Coronavirus. However when the sport is up and running some time in the future expect sparks to fly as the Quirke’s look set to make a major impact on the sport and restore Kerry Women’s handball to its rightful place at the top of the Kerry sporting ladder.