Source:  Tuam Herald, 13 April 1940

Photo:  The handball alley in use circa 1940, Athenry Tourism Facebook Post

UNBEATEN HANDBALLERS.

As could be seen in last week’s issue of the Tuam Herald, Athenry Handball Club have decided to take steps towards reviving the spirit of handball in the town. Since 1930 interest in handball seems to have faded away in Athenry, and were it not for Mr. Ml. Walsh, who won the All Ireland Junior Handball Championship last year, that old spirit would have disappeared completely from a town which claims to be the father of handball. In this connection it is only fair that a special tribute should be paid to Mr. John Crosby, who trained Mr. Walsh, and did more than a man’s part for handball in Athenry.

Athenry claims to have special associations with handball that no other town in Ireland has, and when its past record in handball circles are considered one must come to the conclusion that these claims are in no way unnatural. Since long before the G.A.A. was founded Athenry was noted for its keen enthusiasm in old Irish games, and above all, handball held a special place in the sporting life of the town. Men from Athenry were unbeaten, and unbeatable in the alley everywhere they went. Before All Ireland competitions were ever heard of Charley Whyte and Ned Kennedy defended Athenry’s frontier in handball circles with repeated successes against the most skillful opponents of these days.

In later years Joe Whyte. and Christy Barrett, (senior), came into prominence, and in 1927 they brought the first all Ireland handball honours to Athenry, by defeating Kilkenny. In the meantime, Michael Doherty was proving himself to be nothing behind his older colleagues, and in 1928 he took Joe Whyte’s place with Christy Barrett (senior) in a successful fight to retain the championship. The following, year Michael Doherty beat Tipperary in the all Ireland Single Championship. There are several others in the town who did a lot for handball in the past and won many important matches including Thomas Glynn. The Club have now decided to make every endeavour to bring handball back into its own in the town. A scheme is being drawn up with a  view to getting some important matches played off in Athenry during the summer. The Club believe that they have a grievance on account of they not being represented on the Co. Board, and the Central Council. It is intended to ask the Co. Board to receive a deputation in this connection. Some time ago a rumour went out that Athenry Court was not suitable for important matches. This was not correct. The Court is suitable, and extensive improvements have been carried out recently.