The late Tom ‘Roundy’ McEllistrim.
ONE of the legends of Irish handball has passed away.
Tom ‘Roundy’ McEllistrim from Ballymac, who won several All-Ireland titles in an illustrious career which spanned decades, passed away on Sunday morning. He was 75.
In his career he won four Junior Singles All Irelands [Softball and Hardball] in 1966, and also the Gael Linn Trophy; 60X30 Senior Doubles All Ireland 1968, 1970.
He was a brother of Murty, another illustrious handballer. His father, Jimmy Mc Ellistrim donated the site on which Ballymac Handball Alley now stands.
Roundy, aka “The Champ” passed away on Sunday, December 7, at 8am in Tralee Community hospital.
In a long and illustrious career, Roundy was a specialist in the 60X30 alley, winning numerous big court competitions in softball and hardball.
The ability to control games from the centre of the court marked him out as one of true greats of the game; his “soft” corner kill from the centre of the court or passing lob shot were only two of the hallmarks of this brilliant handballer.
The Champ, delighted in showing the youngsters in Ballymac his “party piece”, standing a box of matches against the front wall in the big alley, and hitting it with a handball from the back of the alley-fully sixty feet away.
Roundy’s parents-Jimmy and Bridie, were the genesis of handball in Ballymac, as the Mc Ellistrim family gave the site for the alley on which Ballymac Handball alley now stands.
Their generosity has touched the lives of many families within the parish, and indeed throughout the County. Roundy is survived by his brother-Murty, and two sisters-Philomena and Joan; and he is predeceased by Richard “Dick” Mac, and his sister Kathleen.
Funeral arrangements as follows; removal on Monday 8th December from Tangney’s funeral home in Castle island 6pm-8pm to St Brendan’s Church, Clogher, Ballymacelligott; funeral mass in St Brendan’s Church, Clogher, Ballymacelligott on Tuesday December 9th at 12 noon, burial afterwards in Clogher graveyard.
Roll of honour
Four in one year: 1966 was a momentous year for “The Champ” as he dominated the 60X30 alley, in both softball and hardball. Unique achievement of four Junior All Ireland Titles in one year as follows:
1966: Junior Hardball Singles All Ireland; Junior Softball Singles All Ireland;
Junior Hardball Doubles All Ireland, with his brother Murty; Junior Softball Doubles All Ireland, with his brother Murty
Gael Linn Cup: Only Kerry player to win this National Cup in 1967
Senior Titles: 60X30 Senior Doubles with his brother “Murty” in 1969 and 1971
60X30 Senior Club All Ireland, with Ballymac in 1975; team members, Thomas “Roundy” Mc Ellistrim, Murty Mc Ellistrim, Kelly Leen, Nicholas Kerins, J P Leen
Roundy won the “Hall Of fame Award”, at the 2010 Handball All Stars National Awards, in Croke Park.
Roundy was one of forty recipients, at a Kerry County Council Civic Reception held in Kerry County Council Buildings, Rathass, and Tralee on Monday 19th November 2012
The ability to control games from the centre of the court marked him out as one of true greats of the game; his “soft” corner kill from the centre of the court or passing lob shot were only two of the hallmarks of this brilliant handballer.
