Winners get silverware in major handball tournament in Kildare
A fantastic sporting and social occasion
The 29th running of the Tommy Archbold Memorial Tournament was held in Ballymore on September 5, with players from Ballymore, Donard, Dunlavin and Tinahely taking part in what traditionally marks the end of the big alley handball season.
The large crowd was treated to some excellent handball throughout the day, with a number of games going right down to the wire.
The final saw two brothers from Tinahely, Willie and Kurt Quaile, go head-to-head. Willie partnered with Declan Keenan, while Kurt teamed up with Jamie Balfe. In an excellent and closely fought match that could have gone either way, Kurt and Jamie eventually came out on top, winning 31–26.
There was a lovely family connection to the tournament, as Willie and Kurt’s father, Pat Quaile, played in and won the very first running of the competition. It seems the next generation has certainly followed in his footsteps!
A sincere thanks goes to everyone who togged out to play, as well as to all those who came along to support. It was a fantastic sporting and social occasion and a fitting way to round off another great big alley season.
The Tommy Archbold Memorial Tournament is a long-running big-alley handball tournament held in Ballymore.
The tournament is played in memory of Tommy Archbold, who was associated with Ballymore and was also a notable local Gaelic footballer.