​A great night of handball was had on Wednesday night at the O Loughlins end of season tournment. Six of our O' Loughlins best took on our city rivals Talbot Inch.  Every game was evenly contested with most games going down to the wire ! Also O' Loughlins stars, Rory Glynn and Cian Kelly won the U13 schools doubles on Monday. 

A big well done to both players and also to Luke Hanrahan, Jacob Brislin, Sean Morrissey and Daniel McCormack who all put in a huge effort this year and it's really showing in the courts.  
County chairman Martin Lawlor was on hand to say a few words and was thrilled with the standard of handball on view.  The future is bright for both city clubs.  

A special thanks to Mark Kelly from Freshco on the Dublin road for providing drinks and treats for both clubs.  I would also like to thank Mark Brennan and John Morrissey for organising such a successful tournment

​Well done to John Morrissey who picked up a Leinster Handball medal tonight in the Over 35s Doubles Final in Tinryland. With his partner Noel Doherty (Galmoy) they overcame the Wexford pair of Fergal McWilliams & David Stanners. After winning the first game 21-14 ,the Kilkenny lads had to withstand a strong backlash from the Wexford boys who took the second game 10-21.The Kilkenny pairing dug very deep in the third game and scored a narrow victory when they won 21-18.
Having won the Leinster, Noel & John will now face Ulster opposition in the All Ireland Semi final in three weeks time

​HANDBALL: More good news for one out handballers as Edel Mullholland added a Schools All-Ireland title to her many achievements when she teamed up with Presentation Secondary School partner Noelle Dowling to win the Junior Schools Final.

​HANDBALL NEWS - BRIDGET IS ACE!....
Well done to O'Loughlin Gaels Handball Chairwoman Bridget Mullholland winning the She's Ace Ladies Challenger: representing Kilkenny by defeating Aine Ni Droigheann (Galway) in Mayo last weekend. Bridget is pictured here with her daughter Edel who both represented Kilkenny for the She's Ace Handball Mother and Daughters competition at the same event

Main Final Joe Daly/James Hennessey defeated Joe Hennessey/Eoin Brannigan.
Shield Final John Morrissey/Jim Dooley defeated Eddie Burke/Davy Ronan

O’Loughlin Gaels held an evening of celebration to mark the achievement of our own Con Moore - on his becoming President of the World Handball Council. It was an evening that will live long in the memory, as Con was joined by both family and friends to honour the occasion.

Eddie Buckley, Chairman O’Loughlin Gaels started proceedings by summarising Con’s sporting life and in particular – his selfless dedication to the sport of handball. Con was born in Moyne village, near Thurles in 1950. Eddie went on to point out that Con was taught in National school by Christy Shortt (father of Pat). Christy passed on a love of music to young Con that would stay with him throughout his life.

Later, Con’s family moved to Urlingford, where he hurled with the Emeralds. However, it was in 1964 that his love for handball would begin to take hold. He helped convert an old alley and by doing so – rejuvenated the ancient game in the Urlingford / Johnstown area. Con had left school now and was foraging for a life of his own, that would lead him to a job working for Smithwicks Brewery in Kilkenny. He put down roots in the Marble city and became known to O’Loughlin Gaels at this time. The first inklings of a man destined for greater things – could be seen in the way he handled an ongoing issue with the ball alley lights. Con made his move and the problem was resolved.

Padraig Leydon became aware of Con’s presence around the club and approached him to become a regular member of the club. The Continent welcomed Con with open arms in 1982 and neither were to look back. He worked tirelessly for the club and was involved in various projects, such as the gym and bar extensions. He also ran County and National handball Championships in our courts while continuing to play himself up to the 1990’s. Among his many honours as a player were: Novice 40 x 20 (1984), Junior 40 x 20 (1988), Novice 60 x 30 (1996), Junior 40 x 20 (1996) and Silver & Masters Doubles 40 x 20 (1998) with Pat Gardiner. He also competed in World Handball Championships in Phoenix (1991), Clare (1994) & Winnipeg (1997).

One of Con’s major achievements in the game of handball would come to fruition in 1999. Fr Willie Hennessy would bless the opening of a brand new state of the art glass-back alley in our club. Con was rightly proud of this achievement but also humble enough to recognise the help of others – Tom Crowe, Sean Tyrrell, Anthony Bergin, Eamon Doyle and John Skehan. His achievements in handball would not stop there. In 1996, he was inaugurated as President of the Irish handball Council. In 2003, he was also responsible for bringing the World Handball Championships to Kilkenny with countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, Wales, England, Japan and Spain taking part. Eddie also cited Con’s ability to nurture talent. He became famous for driving budding ball alley stars such as John Morrissey, Joe Daly and Kirk Green to tournaments in his “Merc”.

The traits that drove Con as a person were numbered by Eddie. He was solid, determined, confident, dignified, trusted, skilled, dedicated and humble. He was also a very good communicator and was adept at understanding the nuanced way of managing a global game across the continents of the world.

Most of all though – Con is a family man. Eddie warmly welcomed Con’s wife Mary along with his extended family – Conor & Sandra, Jennifer & Larry, Monica & Tom, Ronan & Mary along with his sister Nora and brother Ger from Urlingford. Con’s brother Jack and his wife sent their love and best wishes along with a message to say they were very proud of Con’s achievements.