Cloch Cheann Fhaola HC in Falcarragh, Co Donegal hosted a highly successful inaugural handball tournament Saturday last in honour of handball and community games stalwart John Kelly.
Naomh Pól handball club from Belfast brought a strong team and won the doubles handball trophy, but a Donegal select team ran the Belfast men very close with Mark Marley of Seán Mac Cumhaiils and young starlet Odhrán McGlynn of Glenfinn pushing former All-Ireland winners Séamus Ó Tuama and Seán Devine all the way in the doubles game. Mark Marley was deservedly awarded the player of the tournament award.
Meanwhile rising handball star Shaun McGarvey of Cloch Cheann Fhaola pulled off a shock result in the challenge singles handball game by beating another former All-Ireland champion Joe McCallister of Naomh Pól.Given the success of the opening tournament, there are now firm plans to make this an annual event in the last week of August with an expanded range of clubs and more Donegal handball alleys in use.
- Winners of John Kelly Double Handball Trophy: Séamus Ó Tuama/Séán Devine – Naomh Pól.
- Winner of Singles Handball Challenge game: Shaun McGarvey – Cloch Cheann Fhaola.
- Player of the tournament: Mark Marley – Seán Mac Cumhaills.