Comhairle Liathroid Laimhe Chonnacht

Although the Connacht GAA Council was not formed until October 1902 there is proof that handball was firmly established by that time in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and to a lesser extent in Sligo and Leitrim.

Ward Handball Cup

The Ward Handball Cup, which up to the present day is still being competed in Mayo, was presented along with the Ward Hurling and Football Cups, to Mayo GAA Board at its annual convention on January the 6th 1907. The three trophies perpetuate the memory of Castlebar man James Ward, who was imprisoned at the time for campaigning against recruitment for the British army. When he declined to accept money collected for the dependents, he suggested that the money be used to purchase the three trophies which now bear his name.

Roscommon Handball

In 1930's Boyle, County Roscommon became a handball mecca. This was due to the work of John Casey who ran an alley 'Casey's Alley'. The shining star was Paddy Perry. He won eight All-Ireland Senior Softball titles in a row, 1930-37, a record only equalled by Duxie Walshe in the 90's. Coincidentally the reign of Duxie Walshe ended in 2002 by Eoin Kennedy, Dublin, grandson of Paddy Kennedy another noted Boyle handballer of the 30's.

Now the annual handball calender from January to December is filled with fixtures in all codes of Handball for both men and women-Softball 60x30, 40x20 both national and international, One wall, and Hardball. The age groups at the moment playing handball range from under twelve to over sixty.

T Caufield(Roscommon) held the presidency of the Irish Handball Council from 1938-'40 and P Caufield (Mayo) held it from 1950-'52. J Bergin(Sligo), while resident in Tipperary, held it from 1953-'55. Steve Casey Galway was President from 1959-'1962. Peter Carter Mayo was President from 1999-2002. The following served as Provincial Secretaries:

1954-1956 Sergeant P Caufield, Mayo
1957 Steve Casey, Galway
1986- 1991 Peter Carter, Mayo
1991-1995 Fr. Martin Jennings, Mayo
1995-2002 Paddy McDermott, Roscommon
2001 John McLoughlan, Sligo