On Thursday 26th September Edmund Rice College launched their new ‘One Wall Handball’ courts.
Two of Ireland’s leading players on the Irish National and World Handball 40 x20 Four Wall circuit demonstrated their skill and showed the Year 8’s how to play the game. Ricky McCann and Paul Graham played an exhibition game against each other. In a fast paced and intense encounter Ricky won 21- 16. The pupils clearly enjoyed the high level of speed and skill that the players served up. Ricky and Paul then engaged in some coaching of the Year 8 pupils. Both players are past pupils of Edmund Rice College, and it was in the outdoor courts within the school that they developed their skill and passion for the game. Ricky and Paul are the current All Ireland Champions in 035 ‘A’ Doubles. One Wall handball is fast becoming a popular and mainstream sport, with many schools and colleges investing in Handball Walls. It is Ireland’s National game, and is also played competitively in 33 countries world wide. At the recent World Championships held in Dublin, representatives from 33 different countries participated. Ireland and the USA dominate the game in terms of world titles, and while the game is organised by the GAA in Ireland, and thus maintaining an amateur ethos, the game is played professionally in the USA.
One Wall Handball is a fast paced and skillful game and with the new courts in Edmund Rice College it is hoped that it will broaden the sporting experience of the pupils, and become the centre of many Handball tournaments both within Co Antrim and Ulster at Colleges level. Maybe with the re-discovery of Ireland’s National game within the college there might be some future All Ireland champions like Ricky and Paul.
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