How did Irish emigrants introduce handball to the United States?

Irish emigrants introduced handball to the United States in the 1880s, bringing with them the traditions of a game that had been played in Ireland for approximately 1,000 years.1

The transition to the American sporting landscape was solidified in 1886 when Phil Casey, an Irish immigrant, constructed a walled court in Brooklyn, New York. This development facilitated the first international match in 1887 between the Irish champion, John Lawlor, and Casey, who held the American title. Following this introduction, the game evolved in the United States, eventually shifting from the traditional hard leather-covered ball used in Ireland to softer balls and adapting to various court configurations, including the one-wall game that gained popularity in the early 20th century.1