Brackey Handball Club have reached another huge milestone following a glittering fifty years in the sport, at a time when their players are taking the provincial, national and international scene by storm. On 28th November 2008, the club will celebrate it's "Golden Jubilee" year with a first ever Gala Banquet in The Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown. It will mark the climax to a "golden" era in the game for the club, based in Beragh Red Knight's impressive facilities where Brackey boast possibly the most reputable handball court in the country right now. In March 1958 Brackey Handball Club officially became affiliated to the Tyrone County Board and since then has seen a major transformation in the game and their fortunes in that sphere. From competing half a century ago against the gable wall at Brackey's Old School, following up with games played in McAteer's shed in Cloughfin and in later years at the handball "alley" in St. Mary's Park, there is no doubt that the club have come a long way in the promotion and development of the "Oldest" of the GAA sports in the area.Just one game in their fantastic new complex, where the handballers work tirelessly as part of the Beragh Red Knight's GAC, is enough for any player to realise the incredible heights which have been achieved by the Brackey Club. A host of players have made the headlines over the years in the Brackey jersey. From the successful days of Mick Kerr on the court, right through to the present day where his grandson, Sean, is one of the youngest title winners in the O'Neill County at Under 10 level, Brackey's role in the successful rejuvenation of the Sport in Tyrone has been rubber-stamped many times.In recent years the Club have enjoyed All-Ireland Club championship triumphs at Junior B and Junior level and in 2008 will go in search of All-Irerland Senior Club glory with their strongest ever line-up. The World Championship exploits of Shane O'Neill and Ruairi Kelly back in 2006 have been one of the highlights in recent times while a few of the most successful players from the club, including Niall Kerr, Stephen Clarke and Barney Corcoran, continue to make their mark with All-Ireland successes in the past two seasons. There is also no question that it is in the realms of underage handball promotion and development that Brackey Handball Club has been the envy of many areas around the country. Three members of the 2008 All-Ireland winning Tyrone U12/13 Team, namely Pól Clarke, Gabhan McCrystall and Johnny Woods are testament to the efforts made in that all important role. The relentless work which has been put in by a very close-knit and committed group of people received the ultimate accolade in 2007 when Brackey was awarded the "All-Ireland Handball Club of the Year Award" and has appropriately come on the eve of the "Golden Jubilee" celebration year.  For one of the most highly regarded and influential figures in Tyrone handball for the past 3 decades, it is exciting times to be launching another highly ambitious project. Sean Clarke has seen both the good and bad times in the game and is evidently relishing the current roller-coaster of success. "After years of trying circumstances and tireless work to promote and keep the game alive, the efforts of many people have been rewarded with our recent successes. The opening of the new court at the Beragh Red Knight's Pavilion, where all gaelic games in the parish are integrated under the one umbrella has been a major boost and it seems that Handball is currently the leading light in terms of success achieved. Our 50th Anniversary celebration banquet will give everyone associated with the club, since it's inception, an opportunity to savour all that has happened on our journey to the successes which have catapulted us to being one of the most respected clubs in Ireland." Exciting times indeed for the small mid-Tyrone club and no doubt they will receive considerable support from all handballing and GAA enthusiasts in the build-up to another historic event, highlighting another memorable era for Tyrone sport. Tweet

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