Griffin, Timmy
October 07, 2009Today is about one man Timmy Griffin. The Ballymac man who served as President of Kerry Handball and chairman of his own club passed away last week. Timmy spent most of his adult life involved in the promotion and administration of handball; he gave massive commitment to his local Club Ballymac down through the years.
He served as Chairman of the club from its inception in 1950 to the mid 70s. During his time as chairman he saw the emergence of the McEllistrim brothers- Murty and Roundy as two of the best handballers in the country. Talking to Murty mac and Brendie Bonn during the week, both of them said that Timmy was the club taxi in those early years and beyond ferrying local players to all parts of the country.
The exploits of the Twomey/Doherty sisters and Siobhan lenn in the 70s led on to Timmy's return in 1988, where he steered a very hardworking committee to new heights. Refurbishment of both alleys followed, and the re-emergence of the juveniles from the Club as a National/International force. He accepted the "Handball Club of the Year Award' in 1999 - Timmy was indeed a proud man that night.
A club's success is dependent on many things-one of these is to have good administrators and good leaders. He guided the club with a steady hand in all aspects of the game, and showed the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of love in this capacity. Knowledgeable, obliging, fair, storyteller and flair, memory man and prodigious writer could all be ascribed to him; indeed without him and his link Ballymac would not have the facilities they have today.
He has left a huge legacy in his wake at parish level, living in Tralee for many years, he never forgot the place he was born and always enquired how the local players were getting on. The night he stepped down as chairman at the 2005 AGM, Murty and Roundy accepted trophies from Timmy in recognition of their achievements.
There are many memories of the man from young and old in the Club and County. On behalf of everyone in the County in handball circles, we send our condolences to his wife Eleanor, sons and daughters and all his brothers and sisters. Timmy thanks for everything, we will miss you. Slan Timmy; "fear deas gan dabht".
Courtesy of the The Kerryman
October 7th 2009 Tweet
