New appointments in GAA Handball
February 17, 2014
New National Manager John Kelly with recently appointed Uachtarán GAA Handball Willie Roche and Uachtarán CLG Liam O'Neill at Handball Congress
A large turnout of delegates from all over Ireland at the 2013 GAA Handball Congress in The Inn at Dromoland on Sunday saw Meath's Walter O'Connor conclude his 3 year term as Uachtarán and Clare's Willie Roche, take over the role on the day.
Roche from the Newmarket on Fergus club in Clare has had a long career in Handball first as a player and then as an administrator where he held many titles including most recently Chairman of Munster Handball Council. He becomes the third Clare man to hold the prestigious post following in the footsteps of Caimin Jones (also Newmarket on Fergus) and Michael Boyce who previously held the office.
In his acceptance speech Roche spoke of his delight at securing the position and reflected on his involvement over a long period in the game. He outlined his plans for the next three years as he seeks to progress the game at all levels. He thanked all his supporters and also his family as he looked forward to his three year term at the helm of GAA Handball.
GAA President Liam O'Neill also addressed delegates at Congress and spoke of the huge potential for the game of One Wall Handball and reiterated his belief that he would like to see Handball been played in every GAA club in Ireland. He also confirmed the GAA are fully behind Handball's efforts to promote the game.
Meanwhile John Kelly has been appointed as the new National Handball Manager for the GAA. The Longford native takes over from Tony Hannon who had been acting National Manager and departed the post last November.
A member of the Ardagh St Patricks GAA club in Longford, John has been employed as Fixtures and Events Officer for the past 5 years with the Association and now takes the step up to National Manager. "I am very honoured to have been appointed to the position of National Handball Manager" Kelly said, "In the past five years I have met some incredible people in the sport and have seen the terrific work that is being done at grassroots level and it is a credit to all the volunteers out there. My job is to maintain this great work and build our Association from here as the clubs and the volunteers are the lifeblood of our Association."
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