Ulster GAA appoint champion handballer as new Development Officer

By Michael McMullan

ULSTER GAA have appointed former star Fiona Shannon as their Handball Development Officer.

Shannon, winner of three consecutive World Ladies titles, a record nine All-Ireland singles and 10 All-Ireland Doubles, has been lauded as as the greatest female in the history of the sport.

“We are delighted to welcome Fiona into this newly created Handball Development Officer role with Ulster GAA and we wish her well,” Ulster GAA President Ciaran McLaughlin outlined in a statement, released to Gaelic Life.

“Handball hasn’t always received the focus that it deserves and Fiona’s remit will be to help sustain the game in the clubs that are already working hard at it, but also to develop new clubs across the province in a sport that can be easily played, and can assist children and adults with their agility, balance and co-ordination.

“We would like to acknowledge and thank the Department for Communities for their funding support for the role, through the Start Here grants programme”.

Based at the Ulster GAA Headquarter in Armagh, Shannon – of Antrim club St Paul’s – will be focussed on developing the game in schools and clubs to help increase participation.

Check out this week’s Gaelic Life for an interview with Fiona Shannon on her career and hopes for her new role.