John Cleary from Tipperary Town won All-Ireland handball titles at minor, junior and senior level

A veritable giant in the sport of handball, John Cleary has been honoured with the Knocknagow Award in the Annerville awards, which are presented to the Tipperary amateur Sports Stars of the Year by the Tipperary United Sports Panel. 

The Knocknagow award is presented each year to a famous sportsperson of the past.

John first came to prominence in 1958 when he won a Munster Minor Hardball title, only to be beaten in the All-Ireland Final.

He was back again in 1959 when he won an All-Ireland Minor Hardball Doubles title with Connie Cleere from Nenagh.

In 1961 the Tipperary Town man won the All-Ireland Junior Hardball Singles Championship, an achievement that was honoured by the United Sports Panel with a Cidona award.

John added an All-Ireland Senior Doubles 60 x 30 Tailteann medal to his collection in 1966 with the late Paddy Hickey from Clogheen and in 1975 he won a Senior Hardball All-Ireland Doubles medal, again with Paddy Hickey.

He won a total of eight Munster titles in singles and doubles at Minor, Junior and Senior Level over an incredible span of 17 years, from 1958 to 1975.

During the course of his successful career John also represented Tipperary at National League level and represented Munster on interprovincial teams.

He remained involved with his club for many years after his playing career ended, and was deservedly inducted into the GAA Handball Hall of Fame in 2016.

The Tipperary Sports Stars of the Year will receive their Annerville awards, sponsored by Bulmers, from the Tipperary United Sports Panel at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel on Saturday night week, January 27.

Some tickets are still available from Sports Panel Treasurer Ken Conway, tel. 087-6784510.