Cumann na mBunscol National Handball Day - Thursday 19th March 2026
Date: Thursday 19th March 2026 from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Location: National Handball Centre, Croke Park, Dublin (Eircode DO3 6E5)
The following grades are on offer:
• Girls’ U-11 singles
• Girls’ U-11 doubles
• Girls’ U-13 singles
• Girls’ U-13 doubles
• Boys’ U-11 singles
• Boys’ U-11 doubles
• Boys’ U-13 singles
• Boys’ U-13 doubles
Each County may submit one entry for each grade into the Provincial competition.
Where there is more than one participating school in a County, a County Cumann na mBunscol day should be run in advance of the Provincial dates. Please contact your provincial administrator for the dates of the provincial blitzes.
he start time of the National Handball Day will be confirmed when all entries have been submitted.
However, it is estimated that the competition will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday 19th March 2026 in the National Handball Centre, Croke Park, Dublin. All players should be available to play at that time, if required. A fixtures list will be issued closer to the blitz day.
The format of the National competition will be Round Robin, however County or Provincial competitions may be on a knockout basis depending on entry numbers.
Please refer to Appendix 2 for details of the playing rules adopted for Cumann na mBunscol competitions.
GAA Handball and its hosts do not accept liability for any injuries that may occur during the running of this tournament.
Appendix 1: Eligibility & Competition Guidelines for County and Provincial Stages
· The Under 13 competition is open to all primary school pupils under 13 years of age on 1st January 2025.
· The Under 11 competition is open to all primary school pupils under 11 years of age on 1 January 2025. A school may select one singles and one doubles entry for both boys and girls in each age category.
· A player may take part in either singles or doubles, but not both.
· Participating schools select their representatives using whatever facilities are available to them.
Ideally, alley size of 40 x 20 to be used at county stage.
· County winners to represent their County at the Provincial GAA Handball Cumann na mBunscol day.
· Provincial winners will take part in the National Cumann na mBunscol Handball Day. This is a round robin exhibition tournament as there are no official All-Ireland champions.
Appendix 2: GAA Handball Playing Rules (Simplified) & Competition Guidelines for County and Provincial Stages
1. Serving the ball
a. The server stands between the service and short lines and strikes the ball with the hand to the front wall after bouncing it once. If the ball fails to reach the wall the receiver gets an ace.
b. For service in Doubles, the server’s partner shall stand in the service box facing the server with both feet on the floor until the served ball passes over the short line.
c. In service the ball must pass over the short line to be in play. Two short balls results in a score or a (mark) for the opponent(s).
2. The receiver stands outside the short line. The receiver must return the ball to the front wall after one bounce (or before the ball bounces) If the ball fails to strike the front wall the opponent receives a score (a mark).
3. The order of service is decided by tossing a coin.
4. The usual rules of handball apply with the following exceptions:
➢ Service alternates after every five points. Winning a rally does not entitle the player to serve at the beginning of the next rally.
➢ Players may score in or out of service.
➢ Doubles pairs alternate service after each point on all occasions.
i.e. Player A serves first, Player B serves second, Player A serves third, Player B serves fourth, Player A serves fifth and then the other pair serve as above. After a further five aces Player B serves, then Player A serves, and so on giving each player an equal number of serves.
(This is a difficult rule to monitor – so please be patient with our volunteer referees.)
Games to be played to 11 aces. Aggregate aces of two games decides the winner. Tie break to 11, if required (if level on aces after 2 games).
6. All competitions use Challenger 2 Ball. Balls will be supplied by GAA Handball.
7. Players must wear gloves and goggles. Players must bring their own gloves and goggles.
Declan Ward, Offaly.
