Handball president critical of Meath Board

GAA Handball Ireland president Walter O'Connor has criticised the Meath GAA Co Committee for what he perceives as their failure to support handball in the Royal County. O'Connor, who was one of Ireland's foremost handballers before turning his focus to the administration of the game, says that GAA authorities in the county have not provided the support sought in the effort to spread the handball gospel. "I've made a number of approaches to the Co Committee and we're extremely disappointed with the response we're getting. We've made a number of efforts to contact the Co Committee, but we're getting nowhere." O'Connor, who took over as president of the GAA Handball Ireland last May, has put a big emphasis on development of the sport in his native countyas well as nationally. He combines the demanding role with his job as managing director of Envirogreen Building Services which requires him to take regular flights to the Middle East. He says it has been a busy and interesting six months or so especially as he is deeply involved in organising the World Handball Championships which are due to take place in Dublin next October. That event is expected to attract thousands of people, involve players from 34 countries and will be covered by Sky TV and TG4. O'Connor has got a three-year term as the GAA Handball Ireland president and while his main focus right now is to promote the game nationally he says the lack of support from certain quarters in his own county has been disappointing. His views are backed up by another well-known Meath handballer, Kells man Tom Sheridan. "We get absolutely no support or back up from the Meath Co Board, we've tried to set up meetings, but without success," said Sheridan. "I've talked to handballers from other counties, like Kilkenny and Mayo, and they get great support," he said. Meath Co Board chairman Barney Allen strongly refuted the claims. "Handball is part of the Association and we'll do what we can to promote the game. I've spoken to Walter O'Connor, who is a good lad, I have invited him to Co Committee meetings," said the chairman. "The Meath Handball Association anytime they've looked for any discussions we've talked to them and are prepared to talk to them. "If they send a written request we will respond to them. There should be no criticism of the Meath Co Board in relation to handball. "We will talk to them and give them 100 per cent support anytime they want to talk to us. "We would always support them," added Allen who was returned at convention a few weeks ago to serve a fifth consecutive term.