World handball champion Cuileann Bourke honoured in Belcarra

BELCARRA Handball Club paid homage to one of their finest when Cuileann Bourke was feted at an event to celebrate her winning gold at the World Wallball Championships.

Friends, family and fellow club members gathered in Belcarra Community Centre where Bourke received a presentation from Belcarra Community Council to recognise winning the Ladies A Doubles title with her friend Cailíosa Ní Dhúill from Armagh.

“We’ve known each other coming up the ranks, we’ve played each other in so many competitions. She’s won a few games off me, I’ve taken a few off her, to be able to win a world title with your best friend, it’s really special,” Bourke told The Mayo News following her victory back in August.

The 23-year-old from Clogher has won multiple All-Ireland titles and has become one of Belcarra Handball Club’s most well-known members. 

The story of Culieann’s rise in handball began with two small groups of children meeting regularly at Belcarra Handball Alley, under the steerage of Mary Heneghan. 

Mary brought them to the other Handball Clubs to play as novice players, but were very eager to learn and worked hard. The Holy Angels National School, Clogher entered both girls and boys into the Cumann na mBunscoil handball competitions. 

Cuileann worked hard at her game at began winning All-Irelands as a student in Balla Secondary School.

She prefers the 60x30 game and in 2022 qualified for the All Ireland Senior Final, coming runner-up to the current champion Cathriona Casey. She played Laura Finn in the 40x20 Junior Final in 2022 and came home with the win on the day.  

Belcarra Handball Club continues to thrive and celebrated its twenty-fifth-anniversary last year, where legendary handballer Paul Brady was the guest of honour.