The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ballymac handballer Daire’s star quality
WHEN the village and parish of Ballymacelligott is mentioned in a sporting context an extensive list of All Ireland and world handball players are enshrined in its unrivalled roll of honour.
Ballymacelligott is referred to as the ancestral home of handball in Kerry and has produced some of the most iconic players in the history of the sport. Household names in a golden era for the sport over the past four decades include Roundy and Murt McEllistrim, Gary O’Connor, JP Leen and Brendan O’Connor. They have all dominated the Men’s competitions with phenomenal success.
The ladies section of the Ballymacelligott Handball Club have taken the handball world by storm with some of the most talented players the game has seen on a national level. The pioneers of the sport included multiple All Ireland winners Sharon Daly, Maria Daly, Maebh Prendeville, Catriona Casey, Sandy McSwiney, Catherine Reidy, Tracey Buckley, Aine Casey and Ashley Prendeville.
Each generation has produced new stars in Ballymacelligott with the baton now handed over to Daire Keane, the latest player to hit the headlines.
Keane enhanced his sporting CV with a sensational victory in the 2019 All Ireland 40x20 Junior B Singles handball final in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. He defeated the highly fancied Ciaran Crotters from Antrim 21-12 and 21-14 in the final to claim his first National G.A.A. title and a place on the list of all time great Ballymacelligott players.
“Naturally I was thrilled with that success. It was a difficult and very tactical final. In the first game we were tied on a number of occasions. However I remained calm and when we were 10-10 I killed some shots to steal the game,” said Daire.
“In the second game I trailed 8-2 but fought back thanks to the vocal Kerry support in Cavan to take the title. I was very proud to bring this All Ireland medal back to Ballymacelligott and the wonderful people who have encouraged me in the sport.”
The 2019 season was a busy one for Keane. He reached the semi final stages of the inaugural Kerry Senior Handball championships eventually loosing out to the championship runner up Jack O’Shea (Glenbeigh). The talented Ballymacelligott teenager also advanced to the latter stages of a number of major championships including the quarter finals of the All Ireland Men’s B Doubles championships with John Joe Quirke (Glenbeigh), the All Ireland 1 Wall Men’s B quarter final and the Munster Junior Singles and Doubles quarter finals.
“Handball is a wonderful sport full of drama and surprise performances. Fitness levels need to be high while tactics are key to victory. Personally I would love to see more juveniles involved in the sport and the development of additional clubs in Kerry. I enjoy the sport and for me that’s the most important thing.”
Keane has a bright future in the sport and is widely expected to be in contention for some major titles when the handball season reopens later this year.