Just started playing handball recently and must say that I find it a brilliant sport, can't believe I never got a chance to play it before! I can't recall ever hearing about it in my school or club at home, despite the fact that we had several ball alleys in both. Is there some truth to the refrain you sometimes hear from handball people that it's "the forgotten code"? (Same could possibly go for gaelic rounders, actually). What could be done to make it a more popular sport (in Ireland at least) ?

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 14/04/2016 15:10:30    1845593

Does not get much publicity at all. Considering that Ireland has 5 times world champion Paul Brady, who is seeking to win a 12th US National singles title it really is strange that it does not get more coverage. Plus there are numerous more irish players who are amongst the elite players within the sport.

just_the_facts (Cavan) - Posts: 163 - 14/04/2016 15:42:52    1845610

Great game! Played it a bit when I was younger.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 14/04/2016 15:52:35    1845617

Was recently down in Italy for a couple of challenge matches (they have a similar sport down there). There were also teams from France at the European Handball Championships last winter. Given that it has some sort of exposure in the US also, it wouldn't take too much to broaden its appeal internationally, I would have thought.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 14/04/2016 18:40:32    1845697

Tons of ball alleys throughout Ireland that are overgrown and neglected through lack of usage or interest. Most of the time any of the ones that are still useable will have lads kicking ball or using the wall for hurling practice. Shame to see some of them fall into disrepair when once they would have been places for people to gather through the summer evenings.
Too many f****ng Playstation's put an end to that.

Dubh_linn (Dublin) - Posts: 2312 - 14/04/2016 18:24:55    1845718