Big event in north Longford as Abbeylara Handball Club celebrating 100 years of 60x30 outdoor alley

Abbeylara Handball Club in county Longford will host a festival of handball activities on the weekend of October 19 and 20 in celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Outdoor Handball Alley.

The outdoor alley was originally built in 1924 by local parishioners and handball players, it was then extended and restored in 1997.

The club members and players have been busy in preparation for the upcoming event which will play host to a Juvenile Tournament on Saturday.

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On Sunday, the adults will take to the courts to contest the John Carthy and Patrick Hyland Memorial Cups respectively in a Senior and Junior One Wall Doubles Tournament.

The excitement in the village is palpable at present with Abbeylara GFC ready to contest the Longford Senior Football final replay next weekend in Pearse Park. Abbeylara HC hope to capitalise on this, this weekend with the staging of the tournament.

Many of Ireland’s elite players and handball legends have graced the courts in Abbeylara throughout history including the late Ducksy Walsh, Cavan’s Paul Brady, Robbie McCarthy, Catriona Casey and Conor McElduff to name a few.

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Abbeylara Handball club have had huge success this year including two Provincial titles and successes at the O’Neills World Wallball Championships in University Limerick in August.

Due to the untimely passing of Rev Fr. Michael Campbell P.P, the celebrations were rescheduled back in August. We hope to honour his legacy, memory and great work throughout this event. He was a great advocate for our Sport and without his knowledge, devotion, commitment and expertise we would not have the striving club today.

Thank you to Charlie Burns Agricultural Consultants for sponsoring our new centenary jerseys.

We look forward to welcoming all past and present players, families and friends to Abbeylara on October 19 and 20 to celebrate our handball heritage and history.