(Shared from the Killarney Advertiser 28.01.2022)

By Con Dennehy

Spa/Killarney Handball Club reflected on a season of mixed fortunes and emotions when the club hosted their AGM in the Spa GAA Facility at the weekend.

It was a case of revolving chairs during the election of officers when the Vice Chairman, Brendan O’Donoghue, defeated outgoing Chairman Tadgh O’Sullivan for the position of Chairman.

In 2019 Brendan O’Donoghue, competing in the Master A competition, became the first Spa/Killarney man to win a Munster championship medal and sometime later won an All-Ireland silver medal in the highly ranked Master’s 55 B final.

Tadgh O’Sullivan, one of the hardest working and highly respected handball officials in Kerry, was a founder member of the club and is widely credited for the growth and success of the club since its inception in 2018. He also oversaw the development of two magnificent Indoor Handball Walls in the Spa GAA Complex.

Eoin O’Donoghue, son of Brendan, was appointed PRO having previously served as secretary.

The officers elected at the AGM were Brendan O’Donoghue (Chairman), Sinead Moriarty (Vice Chairperson), Aoife Walsh (Secretary), Eoin O’Donoghue (PRO) and James O’Brien (Treasurer).

“Among the plans for this season is the recruitment of new members, particularly in the adult ranks. We have training sessions each Monday and Friday night from 7pm and new members are welcome,” Eoin O’Donoghue said.

“We are also planning to participate in the International Handball Tournament in London next May. One element of handball we are particularly excited about is the development of a new handball wall at Lissavigeen National School. This will have far reaching benefits for the sport in the region.”

Congratulations were also extended to Aoife Walsh and Sinead Moriarty who won major titles at the recent 'She’s Ace' All Ladies handball championships in Tyrone.