REPORT ON THE SENIOR AND MINOR SINGLES FINALS AT ROSCOMMON

(Courtesy Michael McGee)

Brady blows Kennedy away

Paul Brady confirmed his World No.1 status following a devastating display of power play in his comprehensive victory over Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy in the senior singles final played in St. Coman’s Roscommon on Saturday 14^th March last.

Daly delivers minor title to Tyrone

First on the programme was the Minor Singles final between Meath’s Gary McConnell & Caolan Daly from Tyrone. This was a repeat of the U.S. Junior final played last December which Daly won in a tie breaker. Daly was first to settle and had 7 on the board before McConnell opened his account. Daly continued in the ascendancy when leading 15-6. A resurgent McConnell woke up and showed why he was the 2008 champion. The Kells clubman hauled Daly’s lead and tied the game at 16-16. It was point for point after that at 17,18,19 and 20. McConnell had the 1^st chance to take the game at the front wall somehow he missed a sitter of an opportunity. Daly back in serve made no mistake with a kill in the right corner to take the game by the minimum 21-20.

Daly like the 1^st game was first to strike when he opened up with a 4-0 lead. Daly got an amazing “get” but McConnell with a punch point to leave it 4-3 to the Tyrone man. McConnell then served an ace to Daly off the left side wall on service. The defending champion began to find his range with a number of kills and drew level with Daly at 7-7. It was tied again at 11-11. Daly was patient in his play and continually played shots onto the roof waiting for a mistake to come from the Meath man. Daly couldn’t shake off McConnell who kept in touch with some nice “kills”. McConnell with a bad miss in front court saw Daly with a 3 point advantage going into final stages leading 18-15. McConnell could not pull back the lead when in serving and Daly became only the second Tyrone man to lift the Minor singles with another kill to finish off an entertaining and close final. Chris Curran was pleased to be handing over the first cup as National Handball Manager to fellow Tyrone player Caolan Daly. It was Curran’s brother Ciaran who last won the Minor singles for Tyrone back in 1991.

Shannon’s equals record of 8^th Ladies titles

The ladies singles final was an all Antrim affair with Fiona Shannon aiming for her 8^th Ladies titles in 11 eleven years. Aisling Reilly from the St. Paul’s Club in Belfast was only 10 when Shannon won her first title back in 1999. It was a classic contest of experience verses youth. Reilly started the brighter and lead by 5-1. She then inexplicably tossed her hand out with 2 shorts. Shannon took advantage and drew level at 5-5. Reilly continued to drive forward with purpose and scored 5 points in a row with 2 memorable aces to Shannon’s right corner. Reilly who has a powerful right hand and Shannon tried to negate this with strong serving to Reilly’s left hand that forced returns onto the roof. With only the minimum in it Reilly pulled clear again with a 4 point advantage at 13-9. The champion came back fighting in true champion style and eventually took the lead at 18-14. Reilly with a number good long range scores battled hard but it was Shannon who served game ball. Reilly with great battling qualities managed to save 5 game ball attempts against her before Shannon took a close first game with Reilly missing the return off the back wall.

The second game was tied on two occasions early on before Shannon swept into an 13-5 lead. The game was not as intense as the first and that suited Shannon. Reilly’s workrate dropped while Shannon using all her experience made the telling points. Shannon the world ladies handball champion got an ace off the left side wall with a good 16-6 lead. Reilly had a mini revival with 3 points but it was not enough as Shannon finished the stronger eventually winning by 21-11. Shannon’s victory equalled the record set by Limerick’s Bernie Hennessy 8 in a row from 1991-1998

Brady’s astonishing victory

Not all the superlatives would be enough to describe the senior singles final. From Paul Brady’s point of view it had everything. The Men’s final was the one all came to watch. The king of the small court up against the king of the big court something had to give and it was an emphatic victory for the king in court himself Cavan’s Paul Brady. Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy played his part in the final but it was Brady’s class that told. The Cavan G.A.A. star breezed into an 8-0 lead before Kennedy opened his account. Kennedy took a time out to try to come to terms with Brady’s early onslaught. This he did to an extent. Hopping the ball a number of times before serving he tried to slow the game down a bit. Kennedy managed to come within striking distance of Brady with a number of good scores at 10-6. Brady’s athletic prowess all over the court was unbelievable landing precision shots off either hand was a joy to behold. Brady’s serve and shoot style was now in evidence and try as he did Kennedy simply had no answer to Brady’s all out attacking play. It was vintage Brady who displayed clinical finishing. Kennedy tried to use the lob serve to Brady’s left but had no real effect and he quickly changed to serving to Brady’s right again with no benefit. Brady finished off the first game with a passing shot to Kennedy’s right by 21-10.

Brady’s spectacular second game

The second game Brady was at his brilliant best nobody would have lived with him. The packed St. Coman’s gallery could only look on in amazement and in awe of Brady as he demolished Kennedy. Brady who showed an appetite and freshness that was lacking in the last year. The winter break did him good as he has come back stronger, fitter, faster than ever. Brady was unstoppable as he swept Kennedy aside with the full range of skills. The World champion was simply awesome and his artillery continued to bombard Kennedy into submission time and time again. His precision guided missiles of kills and passing shots left everyone speechless. It was breathtaking stuff from Brady and a top class performance that the handball fraternity are ever likely to see. Kennedy’s pain came quick and when the end arrived Brady had shown his undoubted class in a convincing 21-4 second game. The crowd rose to their feet in appreciation and gave both players a standing ovation. Even the legendary Michael “Ducksy” Walsh who refereed the final congratulated Brady on a world class performance that that is why he is no.1 said Walsh.

Tony Hannon the President of the IHC thanked both Brady & Kennedy and acknowledged them as 2 exceptional players. Hannon went further stating it was an excellent match of a World class standard. It was Brady’s 5^th title in a row and 6^th overall. “It will take something special to knock Paul off his title run,” added Hannon. Hannon praised the St. Coman’s Club and Officials for having the court in tip top condition and also thanked the Sponsors Dalkia and Chris Curran & Niamh Egan for organising the championships.

Afterwards I asked the champion what was his thoughts and feelings on the game? “Obviously delighted came the reply, relief more than anything. The All-Ireland far another year. Pretty happy with how things went.”

You displayed a hunger and freshness that I haven’t seen in a couple of years what did you put that down to? “ Yes, it was down to the loss I had in October (U.S.handball open). I haven’t lost in a long time. I don’t want to repeat that again. I needed that loss to keep my hunger. But I got to push forward from here for the All-Ireland doubles, Irish & U.S. Nationals & the World’s. I am happy with my performance. I knew if I let Eoin into the game at all what he is capable off. I tried to keep the pressure on from the start, not to let him get into it. Thankfully it worked out for me.”

You are in distinguished company having won the 5-in-a-row with only the greats of Pat Kirby and Duxie Walsh having achieved this feat. That must make you immensely proud to have that record as well. “Yes, definitely you wouldn’t be thinking of that fact when I was going into play. When the match was over I could reflect on that. I hope that is not it. I want to be back again next year to make it 6,7, & 8 in a row. I’m 28, every final you play in I suppose is more urgency.”

“Certainly a big part of me is eager to get back to Los Angeles. I have to bite my tongue for now and just concentrate on winning all the Irish titles, go for the U.S. Nationals and then the Worlds that’s a big goal this year for me.”