Defence Forces vs Gardaí  -   Handball Challenge – Custume Bks 06 June 2012

Report by Cpl Eric O’Brien (USAC)

DF Handball had it’s latest challenge against the Gardaí in the Handball Centre, Custume Bks, Athlone on 6 June. The day’s events were a throw back to the old Army versus Gardaí matches that were an annual event in the 1980s. After establishing contact with my counterpart in the Gardaí (Sgt Conor McDonnell), we agreed to have the DF host the first leg of this challenge in Custume Bks on the 40 x 20 court. The ‘away’ leg will take place in Garda HQ on their 60 x 30 court.

The day was broken into two distinct halves, with the morning consisting of timed games (or first to 21 aces). These games saw the Gardaí teaching us a lesson or two, but by the end of the challenge matches the DF had clawed back 2 victories both in doubles and singles. The second half of the day saw one of the most exciting games of the day in the mixed doubles (teams consisted of a DF member and a Garda) with the game going each way until the half way mark where the more experienced side put the pedal to the metal and started notching up a lead that just couldn’t be caught.

The second last doubles game saw a Garda father and son team take on a team from 4 W Bde. Gda Tony Hannon (retired) was the last President of GAA Handball and his son Gda David Hannon took the challenge to the men of the West and defeated them 25-9. It’s plain to see that handball in strong in the Hannon family with another of Tony’s sons, who is also a member of the Gardaí, being an avid handballer. The last game of the day was another doubles match that went to 21-20, but unfortunately for the DF Team, it was the Gardaí again that pulled out the final ace.

Overall the day was a great experience for both the DF & Garda Handball Clubs. We both now have a better understanding of how each other’s competition systems work, and how to spread the game further in our organisations, as well as a few new ideas for challenge matches with a combined DF & Garda team taking on a local club or organisation later on in the year.

The day’s proceedings were watched over by Mr John Kelly of GAA Handball who again had plenty of advice and guidance for us and recorded by Mr Donovan Ross for TG4’s GAA Handball Show that is due to be aired in the Autumn. With both the Irish Nationals One Wall Championships & the World Handball Championships (both being hosted in Citywest, Dublin) only around the corner, the Challenge Day against the Gardaí gave us an experience that will only add to our preparation for these Championships after playing against a tough Garda team.

We look forward to a couple of months of training and to the return visit to Garda HQ later on in the year to try and recover a few games on the ‘Big Alley.

Also, the DF One-Wall Championships will take place in Mount Talbot, Co. Roscommon on 25 July 2012. This discipline is proposed to be an Olympic sport for the 2016 Olympics, and is a great way for both beginners and returning handballers getting into the sport without having to worry about the dreaded side and back walls sending the ball all over the alley, and instead play against one front wall (like the lunch time games in school).

For further information on Handball in the Defence Forces contact Cpl Eric O’Brien at extension 1763 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Results:

Cre Michael Merrigan      vs         Gda Dessie Dowd                       9-21

Pte Conor Laffey            vs         Gda David Hannon                      5-21

Pte Chris Samuels          vs         D/Gda Paddy Donovan                 7-13

Armn James Byrne         vs         Gda Mick O’Neill                          7-16

Tpr Stephen Smullen      vs         Gda Michael O’Ronan                  19-12

Cpl Eric O’Brien              vs         Gda Michael O’Ronan                  1-21

Cpl Eddie Clifford & Pte Denis Dowd vs Sgt Conor McDonnell & D/Gda Campbell Brennan      15-31

Pte Tommy Dillon & Pte JP Ryan  vs  Gda David Hannon & Gda Dessie Dowd                        21-5

D/Gda Paddy Donovan & Pte Denis Dowd  vs  D/Gda Campbell Brennan & Cpl Eddie Clifford  17-25

Gda Mick O’Neill & Pte Tommy Dillon  vs  Sgt Conor McDonnell & Pte JP Ryan                       14-25

Cpl Eric O’Brien & Pte Chris Samuels  vs  Gda Tony Hannon (Ret’d) & Gda David Hannon        9-25

Tpr Stephen Smullen & Armn James Byrne  vs  Gda David Hannon & Gda Michael O’Ronan     20-21