Derrymullen Handball Club Ballinasloe
In 1926 a group of young Derrymullen people used to play handball at the railway station, but the station master at that time put an end to these activities. As a result the first meeting of the Derrymullen Handball Club was called and held in Tommy Craddock's house (now Marty Madden's ).
The first Officers of this Club were:
Chairman: Brian Craughwell
Joint Secretary/Treasurer: Jack Fallon and Denis Egan
Vice-Chairman: John Johnston
It was agreed that a member from each family in the village would be on the Committee. The meeting agreed to rent a site from Mrs Guinnessy for £3(punt) per annum and to build an alley on the site. The Committee ran plays and dances and a door to door collection to raise money for same. Pat Tully built the first course and his son Martin and Austin Madden continued to a height of 10ft., at which time funds ran out and after a lapse of 2½ years the Committee decided to let out for contract the completion of the alley and Mr Pat McTaigue agreed to complete the alley for £150. The Committee were to supply sand and cement. The alley was completed except for the floor and this was completed by Paddy Rigney and Joe Dunne.
Funds were raised through dances in Harper's Ballroom, Ballinasloe. card games and other collections , some of the musicians who played were Reid's Band - S. Bridge, Paud Horan, Johnny Kelly, Johnny Fuery, Joe Mills and Billie Soden.
At that time there was a small alley beside Bolger's Lane. Handballers of note in the town at that time were Billy Higgins and Willie Harney. Top class players who played in the alley at Derrymullen included James Perry, Roscommon; Willy "Watt" Doherty, Athenry; Mulanney Brothers, Roscommon; Paddy Flynn, Ballymacward; Michael Keegan, Jack Fahy, P.O.; Joe Grenham, Guard Corcoran, Jimmy Duignan, St. Brigid's; Ryan Brothers, Gurtymadden; Hassets, Tipperary.
There was a lapse of activity up to 1946 when a new Committee was formed comprising of:
Chairman, Fred Jennings;
Secretary, Tom Johnston;
Treasurer, Martin Tully;
Committee: P.J. McDonnell, Christy Ryan, Frank Nevin, Pat McManus, Jack Fallon, Jack Guinnessy, Patrick Casey.
This Committee decided to buy out the property at a price of £35.00. The following trustees were elected - Tom Johnston, Fred Jennings, Pat McManus, Jim Craddock.
In 1954 the Committee decided to build a glass back wall to the alley, original glass cost £76-16-7p.
May Poles (dances) were held in the open air alley during ‘54/'55 to fund the project. At some stage around 1934/'35 a Doubles Tournament was played. The winners of which were Tom Johnston and Joe Grenham.
Glass back wall built by Martin Tully around 1955 and highwall at road built by P.J. McDonnell, Frank Nevin and Martin Tully.
Handball ebbed and flowed from then on until an animal called "The Vandal" began to manifest himself on society and needless to say the glass back wall proved too much a temptation for this pest. Also neighbouring families had their property and privacy encroached upon. To prevent further nuisance the alley was sealed off.
A Committee was set up in 1977 with Chairman Fred Jennings; Secretary Sean Tully; Treasurer Vincent Earls; and it was agreed that the alley would not be played until it could be properly roofed and secure.
This Committee travelled around to appraise Ball Alleys which had been roofed in Toomgraney and Crinkle among other places. Various plans and costings were acquired and eventually planning permission was applied for, and granted. The Committee were first elected in November 1983 and decided to raise as much money as possible toward the roofing of the alley. It was found technically difficult to roof existing walls so the Committee settled for the more popular 40x20 alley.
Since then the alley has been used by competitors from all ages including some of the players of the County Football and Hurling teams for practice.
Underage handball coaching takes place every Sunday at 11 am for boys and girls over 8. For more information use the contact details below.
