Mayo Young Sports Stars: An All-Ireland title against the odds

Gaelcholáiste Chomáin, Rossport, created history in 2025 with their remarkable victory in the All-Ireland Under 19 Junior Girls Olympic Handball Championship final.

Despite the fact that Gaelcholáiste Chomáin is a small Irish school, they beat the very best in the country. Some of their opponents had massive numbers of students (anything from 400 to 700) to choose from, making their achievement all the more remarkable.

It came as a result of the unbelievable amount of training the girls put in allied to their magnificent determination to succeed.

While the girls produced the goods on championship days, a special word must also go to their coaches and the boys in the school, who provided great challenge games for the team.

After winning the Connacht title in November 2024, the girls went on to win the All-Ireland in April 2025. All 16 girls, from Leaving Cert to second years, were on the panel, and they have already retained their Connacht title this school year.

They will be recognised for their achievements at The Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sportstars Awards 2025, taking place in Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, on Friday, March 13.