Ulster GAA Writers’ Association
HANDBALL
It seems that when Paul Brady sets his sights on a title there is no stopping him getting it. That would seem to be the message the Cavan man delivered on his recent visit to Canada.
World champion Brady never played in the Canadian Men's Open Nationals until this month. Various things, such as an over-crowded schedule and injuries, prevented him from entering in the past but now, when he got the window of opportunity to play in Montreal, he made the most of it.
In the semi-finals, the Cavan man swept past Jonathan Iglesias, from Miami, and then easily defeated New Yorker Tyree Bastidas in the final, taking the tile 21-6, 21-8. Bastidas had overcome the only other Irishman in the draw, Mayo's Joe McCann, 21-7, 21-16 in a tight semi-final, preventing an all-Irish decider.
"I always wanted to play in the Canadian Open Nationals but never managed to get there before," says the Breffni battler. "I was delighted to be able to get time off from teaching to travel to Montreal and, naturally, delighted to win the title."
Brady's Maple Leaf success puts him on a level of his own, arguably the greatest handballer that Ireland has ever produced. He has conquered the world, America, Canada and Ireland with record victories at home and abroad and there doesn't appear to be any signs of him slacking off, despite some recent injuries.
"I played handball and football for 15 years and never had an injuury until the
past couple of seasons. It must be old age creeping in," cracks the 33-year-old.
By Tony McGee