An photograph has been unearthed from the Irish Independent archives showing a handballer from decades ago – but who is it?
Paul Fitzpatrick discovered the photo, which was carried in the Indo with no accompanying caption some years ago, and posted it on Facebook in order to identify the player.
So far, some handball aficianadoes have suggested it may be former Louth great Fintan Confrey – although Cavan’s Kit Finnegan, a fountain of knowledge on the sport, thinks otherwise - while others reckon it could be Tom McGarry of Limerick.
Laois’ Paddy Donovan has pointed out that the ball alley in the picture, with a small door in the back corner of the sidewall, looks similar to the one at Kileely, Co Limerick where Tom learned the game.
Dublin’s Eugene Kennedy, who knows a thing or two about the players of old, has ruled out it being the great Paddy Perry of Boyle, which was another suggestion.
It’s possible the photo was ‘flipped’ prior to publication so the player pictured may, in fact, be striking the ball with his right hand.
Any ideas?
