Connacht Juvenile B U-16 doubles title for Noel McLoughlin & Shane Wright

Noel McLouglin & Shane Wright Connacht Juvenile B U-16 doubles champions for 2011

Congratulations to Castleconnor's Aoife Quinn member of the Connacht Girls team of 10 that beat Ulster in the Interprovincial final in Kilkenny recently. Aoife is pictured in the front row on extreme right. Also included in Tony Hannon Irish Handball President back row along with Francis Curran team manager back row on extreme right.



Castleconnor's McLouglin & Wright bring back Connacht Handball doubles title back to Sligo

Aoife Quinn Interprovincial title with Connacht



In the last games of the 2011 40 x 20 Juvenile handball season it was left to Castleconnor's Noel McLoughlin & Shane Wright to finally bring back Connacht gold to Sligo and the duo did not disappoint. In Castlebar yesterday the Sligo players playing in the Boys U-16 doubles final with their final opponents Stephen Regan & Ross Melvin coming form Roscommon. In a great final McLoughlin & Wright were composed throughout and with some great finishing held firm despite a spirited comeback from the Roscommon players to record a fully deserved 21-5, 21-14 victory. It was Sligo first Connacht Juvenile B title of the year.

It was a season of mixed fortunes for the young Sligo players Castleconnor’s Marianna Foody & Aoife Quinn representing Convent of Mercy Ballina won the Connacht Colleges 40 x 20 1st year girls doubles and the same duo won the Connacht Girls U-15 A doubles final but were beaten by Clare’s Natasha Coughlin & Michelle Nihill in Invirin in the Girls U-15 All-Ireland doubles semi-final.


Aoife Quinn played her part on the Girls (Connacht) Interprovincial team of 10 that beat Ulster in the final by 101-50 two weeks ago in O'Loughlin's Kilkenny.

The Boys U16/17 of Tommy Trill, Jason Earlis, Barry McLoughlin, Stanley Harte and Sub Alan Gilmartin beat Galway in the final of the Connacht U16/17 team final played in Williamstown by 60-42. However Sligo's "famous five" went down to Tipperary in the semi-final and the Munster champions went on to win the All-Ireland final.

Perhaps the most remarkable achievement by a Sligo Juvenile player this year came when 14 y.o Barry McLoughlin from the Castleconnor Club teamed up with Ballymote's Francis McCann to win the Annual Gerard Jones Memorial doubles tournament in Castleconnor last January with a display of outstanding handball.

World Handball Championships moved to October 2012

World Handball Championships moved to October 2012

Following extensive meetings and, in conjunction with the World Handball Council, a decision has been made as follows:


In light of issues and delays surrounding the preparations for the World Handball Championships in 2012 in Ireland, it has been decided to put back the date for the hosting of this hugely prestigious event in Ireland. This is in light of major work to be carried out in preparation for the event and now that the proposed new National Handball Centre in Croke Park has been ruled out to being ready in time to host this event.


It has already been passed and approved by GAA Handball Ireland Central Council that the World Championships will be hosted in conjunction with the Ulster GAA Council in Ulster Venues (with the use of North Leinster venues if required). Full details on venues will be released by end of May 2011.


This is a World Handball Council sanctioned event and, following discussion and authority by the World Handball Council Executive, it has been agreed to amend the date for the World Handball Championships (both 40x20 and 1-Wall) to a new date as follows:


World Handball Championships in Ireland 2012

(4-Wall 40x20 & 1-Wall)

Commencing Thursday 4th October 2012 and concluding by Sunday 14th

October 2012.