Major award for Longford handball stalwart

A stalwart and loyal servant of the thriving Abbeylara Handball Club was recently inducted into the Leinster Handball Hall of Fame.

Anna Reilly, who has done huge work for handball in Abbeylara over the years, was recently honoured for her dedication at the Leinster GAA Handball Convention in Portlaoise on Sunday, January 8.

Anna was presented with her Hall of the Fame award by Leinster Handball Chairperson Ricky Barron and Leinster Treasurer Serena Dempsey.
The following is a citation on Anna’s immense contribution to handball in Abbeylara and Longford;

“Anna has been and continues to be the source and foundation stone for the growth of handball in Abbeylara, Co Longford.
She has been there from the very beginning in 1997 when the handball club was formed. It started out with the refurbishment of the outdoor alley which then led to the formation of Abbeylara Handball Club.

Anna has always been a driving force for handball development, and her passion and persistence led to the establishment and building of an indoor handball complex which was opened in September 2008.
Many tournaments and All-Irelands have been held here over the years with Anna playing a major role in its success.

Over the years Anna has been involved in many handball activities, coaching juveniles and adults and she is always available to offer good, solid advice and words of encouragement, inspiration and wisdom.

She is always available to members of the handball community to provide any support needed. Anna always ensures that everyone is made welcome and included and the hospitality she gives to everyone is commendable.
On behalf of the parish of Abbeylara we want to thank Anna for her commitment and dedication throughout the years to handball and all the work she still continues to do.

There is no one more deserving of this award in Longford.”