Outgoing Uachtaran Dessie Keegan presents incoming Uachtaran Conor McDonnell with his President’s medal at the 2023 Annual GAA Handball Congress

The 2023 GAA Handball Annual General Meeting (Congress), took place in the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan, on Saturday last, 11th February. The meeting saw Monaghan’s Conor McDonnell take over as Uachtarán of GAA Handball from outgoing Uachtarán, Mayo’s Dessie Keegan. Conor becomes only the 4th Ulster President in the association’s 99-year history, and the first since Sean McEntee held the role in the nineties.

The Congress opened with Monaghan GAA Chairperson Declan Flanagan welcoming the delegates to County Monaghan and congratulating Conor on his election to the role of Uachtarán Liathróid Láimhe C.L.G. na hÉireann. The Congress quickly then got straight to business with GAA representative and former interim Handball Manager Tom Maloney going through each of the motions that were presented to the delegates for debate with voting then also taking place once all questions fielded by the delegates were answered. Tom and the delegates managed to get through all of the motions and voting fairly quickly and the vast majority of the motions were passed on the day – details of these can be found on the national website gaahandball.ie. Following this, an election for the position of Handball Rep. to the GAA was held and Ken Conway was elected as the new Rep. following a vote.

The Congress, running ahead of schedule, came to a close with speeches by outgoing Uachtarán, Dessie Keegan and newly appointed Head of Handball, David Britton with Dessie then formally presenting Conor with the President’s medal and handing over to Conor. Conor then gave a speech to the delegates thanking them for the work they do as well as briefly going through some of the current challenges faced as well as the positives enjoyed within both the sport of handball in Ireland and the organisation itself, concluding with the following remarks “…the ultimate privilege for me is looking forward to being on the ground, meeting players, volunteers and officials and making sure we work closely together with openness and transparency for the betterment of our sport“. The Congress then formally came to a close and the AGM was followed by both an Ard Chomhairle meeting and a fabulous meal served to delegates by the Four Seasons staff. A gathering of some of the Monaghan GAA Handball community then took place after the meal with photos being taken of the group with the newly elected Uachtarán. A special day for Monaghan GAA Handball! We would like to wish Conor the very best as he commences his three year term!

Ulster GAA President Ciarán McLaughlin congratulating Conor McDonnell on his new role as Uachtaran Liathroid Laimhe CLG

Incoming Uachtaran Conor McDonnell (L) pictured with outgoing Uachtaran Dessie Keegan (C) and Head of Handball David Britton (R)

Some of the Monaghan GAA Handball Community pictured with Conor McDonnell, Uachtarán nua Liathróid Láimhe C.L.G. at Saturday’s national GAA Handball Congress, held in the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan.

Photos courtesy Peadar McMahon / Croke Park / GAA Handball