1960’s In September 1961 hurricane ‘Debbie’ caused considerable damage and destruction throughout the country. With trees down and roads blocked, the main problem facing Athenry handballers was ‘would the bus the Club had hired be able to get through to Tuamgreaney for the All-Ireland Handball Finals on the following day?’ Gerry Cronnolly and Michael Kelly had secured a place in the junior hardball doubles final. At Horse-and-Jockey they had defeated Tipperary’s Paddy Hickey and Tom Brady in the semi-final. After several detours the bus carrying the Athenry players and supporters finally made it to the east Clare village of Tuamgreaney. With fine victories over Mayo and Sligo in the Connacht Championship, Gerry Cronnolly and Michael Kelly were hard pressed to win by three games to one in a cracking semi-final against Kilkenny’s Hanlon and Horgan. In the final the Athenry pair played with confidence and power to win by three games to one. Athenry and Galway had won their first All-Ireland title after a break of twenty-one years. The All-Ireland champions got a rousing welcome home that night in Athenry and the celebrations lasted for weeks. It was fitting that Gerry Cronnolly should win a hardball title, as it was he who was mainly responsible for the revival of the game in Galway and Connacht. In Athenry there was always fierce competition for places on Handball Teams with the Old Abbey Alley regarded as the ‘fastest in the country’. One disadvantage though was that the ball often went into the river only to be found days later in Newford. The Club had many outstanding players who won National Titles and that tradition peaked in the 1950’s and 60’s. Gerry Cronnolly became part of that great sporting culture and fondly remembers some of the ‘greats’- Christy O’Grady (best player), Paddy Corley (great with both hands), Joe Howley, Tom Cleary, Mick Doherty, Lol Ryan, Johnny Keane, Pa Hall, Tom McNamara, Paddy Mulkerrins, Jimmy McCormack and his partner Mick Kelly who lived in Kelly’s Step Down Pub, Northgate Street. 1965 was also a most successful and memorable year for Athenry handball players as they won five Connacht titles and made history by winning the All-lreland Minor Hardball Doubles, the county’s first ever minor title. Tony Corley and Seamus Lynch beat Kildare’s T. Geoghan and A. Campbell by two games to one in an exciting contest to capture a well deserved All-Ireland title. Urged on by a large crowd of supporters in the final at Roscommon the Athenry pair showed considerable ability and speed. Versatile Tony Corley collected several Galway and Connacht titles before winning the All-Ireland Minor Doubles championship in partnership with club mate Seamus Lynch. He was honoured with a Galway Sports Star Award in 1965 - it was a pity that both Athenry players were not honoured, but there could be only ‘one star’ in each sport at that time. ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR HANDBALL CHAMPIONS 1961 Athenry’s Michael Kelly and Gerry Cronnolly ALL-IRELAND MINOR HANDBALL CHAMPIONS 1965 Seamus Lynch and Tony Corley with parents Eileen and Paddy Corley and Mary Lynch. Handball 1960’s Published by St. Mary’s GAA Club Teams of the 1960’s Committee Tom Carr (Chairman), Joe Killeen, Tom Coffey, Luke Glynn, Tom Long, Noel Kelly, Leo Coffey, Michael Morrissey, Gerald Corbett, Jarlath Cloonan, Paddy Farrell, Michael Quinn, Vincent Madden and Mick Crimmins. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this publication.
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