Claregalway GAA Handball Club celebrated the official opening of their new premises on Saturday 24th March.
GAA Handball President Joe Masterson performed the opening which was well attended by members of the club and wider community. In his speech the president recognised that handball has been in the community with an alley beside the river since the early 1900's and praised the club for reviving the sport in the past 10 years to a point where they now have large juvenile numbers attending weekly training, a team of great coaches, a hard working committee and a fantastic new 40x20 alley. Galway GAA Handball chairperson Frances Curran praised the club for all the hard work in opening the building and commented how it's location in the village beside National and Secondary schools would also be a boost to the promotion of handball outside of the club itself. Frances mentioned that handball is buzzing in Galway at the moment as the opening comes a week after Galway's Martin Mulkerrins won Galway's first Senior 40x20 singles title.
Chairperson Fergus Madden noted the former secretary of the club Tom Lenihan who passed away last year but had been a driving force of the committee. He thanked all his fellow officers and committee, and the main contractors Kesel Construction for their professionalism and finishes. Fergus also thanked Claregalway GAA for the site and Claregalway Community Centre for their support.
Club secretary Joe O'Connell thanked all the club members for all the hard work in the past few months in putting the finishing touches to the alley. With photographs on every wall of past and present members, it's a celebration of the club itself and those who make it. Joe also thanked the local National schools for submitting artwork to decorate the walls. The club also wishes to thank Treat Cafe, Hughes Supervalu and club members for providing the refreshments.
