Michael Porter - The passing of a handball legend

The Late Michael Porter R.I.P.


Michael Porter the passing of a handball legend

There was widespread sadness in Sligo handball circles and at National level when news came filtering through last Friday of the death of Michael Porter from the Ballymote Club. Michael Porter came to prominence early in his handball career when he won the All-Ireland minor hardball doubles with Francis McCann and All-Ireland Colleges titles in 1976 as a member of the Colaiste Mhuire Ballymote team. Michael Porter & Francis McCann’s playing partnership was an enduring one that lasted 30 years. In 1977 the Minor Doubles All-Ireland doubles was brought back to Sligo. The same year Michael Porter won the All-Ireland Vocational Schools singles title and the doubles with Padraig McCann representing Corran College Ballymote. Two years later the U-21 doubles title was won with Francis McCann and in 1981 the Junior softball doubles. He took a lengthy break away from the game but returned in spectacular fashion in 2001 winning the Masters A softball singles. In the following 2 years Michael Porter & Francis McCann excelled winning the Masters A doubles in 2002 & the Masters A softball doubles in 2003 & National One-Wall titles.

In an astonishing career Michael Porter won twenty one Connacht titles (1976-2006) and eleven All-Ireland handball titles (1976-2003). Michael Porter & Francis McCann won 19 Connacht titles & 5 All-Ireland titles together. Michael played his part in the success of the Irish 1-Wall Nationals which Sligo hosted from 1999-2008 and officiated at many of the finals.

Handball’s loss is nothing compared to the loss to his wife Margaret, Son, Jonathan and daughters Catherine and Sarah, his parents Jimmy & Margaret and sister Marian. The Sligo handball board extends sympathy to the family on their sad loss. Sligo Handball players & officials provided a guard of honour at the funeral and indeed it was only fitting that Francis McCann would lead the Sligo handball guard of honour of his dear friend & playing partner. The Co. Board cancelled all its weekend matches as a mark of respect to the deceased. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis.