Ballypatrick, Co. Tipperary
Photographed by T.J. Ryan, Feb 2009
The top photographs of the construction of the alley in 1932 and the following historical information is available on the website http://gibbsforge.ie/ballypatrick-village/ First on the horizon was the handball alley. Work on this site began in the 1930’s but due to a number of disagreements it was not completed until 1956. The building was completed on a voluntary basis and it was a credit to all involved. The alley was officially opened by Joe Bergin (President) and Joe Lynch secretary of Irish handball club and was blessed by Fr Power in 1956. The alley hosted many All Ireland Finals and the cream of the country came to the little village at the foot of Slievenamon. People will always remember the great games between John Ryan (Wexford) and Mick “the stick” Griffin in the All Ireland semi’s and final. This alley is one of the finest alleys in the country and holds the record for the largest attendance at an All-Ireland Final. The alley witnessed such greats as Paddy Hickey (Tipperary), Jimmy O’Brien, Paddy Downey (Kerry), also the likes of Pat Kirby (Clare), Joey Maher (Louth), Tony and Noel Ryan (Ballypatrick) and Tom McGarry from Limerick. Tom was a great Limerick hurler. Jimmy Doyle describes Tom in his book as “the best back he had come up against in his career”.
2 comments:
In 1957, my brothers and I played in this alley. Our host was a Mr Kelly who lived in the area then and was holidaying in Tramore at the time.
What a wonderful picture of the alley being built. This is Tony Ryan’s home alley. In school, St Macartan’s College, Monaghan, in the late 1970’s, the alleys were renovated and roofed. All Ireland Finals were hosted and Tony Ryan won the U16 Final. My friends and I were so impressed. He was so strong and an excellent player. We nicknamed him Cuchulainn.
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