Bouncing back: The bust-boom of handball's recovery

The 2024 handball season presents a significant milestone in the sport's history - a century on from its official incorporation into the GAA.

Although included in GAA charters as a sport to be promoted from as far back as 1884, it was only in 1924 that Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann (the Irish Handball Council) was established.

Since then, the game has been sliding along a series of peaks and troughs - but rarely in its history have two such extreme movements come so close together.

Over the last five years it's been bust-boom rather than the other way about with genuine fears of a 'kill shot’ during the Covid pandemic before a startling recovery ever since.

In sunnier climates like Valencia and the Basque Country, various versions such as pelota rule, outdoor courts provided relief. Clubs in Ireland however, where the game is played indoors, suffered massively as restrictions limited access.

It was feared that some clubs may even fall away as the link was severed, but many new clubs have shot up in GAA areas while traditional hotbeds are enjoying a renaissance.

At present, there are approximately 10,000 members and just over 150 clubs operating.

It’s a Tuesday night at one of those, the Saval GAA club in County Down, when RTÉ Sport visits and the hall is a hub of activity with the two one-wall (or wall-ball) courts in the main hall constantly filled.

Brian ‘Muller’ Havern is there, as he always tends to be. A five-time national champion - four in one-wall (wall-ball) and one on the 40x20 court - Havern has been playing the sport since 1983 and is one of the most well-known faces in Ulster handball circles. The sport has opened up so many doors, including trips to play on the various courts on the continent.

His eyes come