Michael Porter R.I.P. - the passing of a handball legend

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 through last Friday of the death of Michael Porter from the Ballymote Club. Michael Porter came to prominence early in his handball career when winning the Minor Doubles All-Ireland doubles with club mate Francis McCann back in 1977. The duo won Minor & Hardball doubles titles together as well as Junior Softball doubles in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

He took a lengthy break in the mid 1980’s but returned to win the Masters B Irish Nationals title in 2001 and followed this up the following year winning the Masters A singles. 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 of his wife Margaret, Son, Jonathan and daughters Catherine and Sarah, both his parents Jimmy & Margaret and sister Marian. Sligo Handball Board extended sympathies to the Porter family on their sad loss. Sligo handball members provided a guard of honour at the funeral on Sunday.
The Co. Board cancelled all its weekend matches as a mark of respect to the deceased.
Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Sympathy was also extended to Peter Davey Collooney Handball Club on the death of his Aunt Pauline Gallagher Ballisodare last week.
The Sligo Handball Board congratulated Cyril Feehily on his re-election as Sligo G.A.A Chairman last week. Cyril created a little piece of Sligo G.A.A history as he became the first Sligo G.A.A Chairman ever to attend the AGM of the Sligo Handball Board.
The Board would also would also like to wish everyone in Sligo G.A.A. & all Sligo handball clubs a very happy Christmas and to wish all Sligo Gaels a prosperous and sporting year on the G.A.A. fields and handball courts in 2012.