INTERNATIONAL REPORT
5th All-Ireland title in a row puts Brady with Kirby, Walsh By Michael McGee
Brady joined a distinguished group with his fifth in a row. Only Pat Kirby and Ducksy aul Brady confirmed his world No.1 Walsh have achieved that feat. He said that status with a devastating display of made him immensely proud. power in a comprehensive 21-10, 21Brady said he wasn’t “thinking of that 4 victory over Eoin Kennedy in the All-Ire- fact when I was going in to play. When the land senior singles final March 14 in Ros- match was over, I could reflect on that. common. “I want to be back again to make it six, The championship was Brady’s fifth in a seven and eight in a row. I’m 28. Every final you play in, I suppose, there’s row and sixth overall. more urgency. “It will take something spe“Certainly a big part of me cial to knock Paul off his title is eager to get back to Los Anrun,” said Tony Hannon, presigeles [for the USHA nationals]. dent of the Irish Handball CounI just concentrate on winning cil. all the Irish titles, go for the U.S. Brady said he was “obviThe Game 2 numbers nationals and then the worlds. ously delighted” and “pretty don’t lie: Brady rolled. That’s a big goal this year.” happy with how things went. I Fiona Shannon tied the record with her knew if I let Eoin into the game at all what he is capable of. I tried to keep the pressure eighth ladies title in 11 years when she beat on from the start, not to let him get into it. Aisling Reilly. Shannon’s victory equaled the record set by Bernie Hennessy from Thankfully it worked out for me.” Brady displayed a hunger that seemed 1991-98. In a repeat of last year’s USHA 17-andto have been missing in the last couple of years. He attributed his fresh approach to under final, Caolan Daly again beat Gary his loss in the Simple Green U.S. Open in McConnell, this time in the minor singles. The last time a Tyrone player won this diviOctober. “I hadn’t lost in a long time,” he said. “I sion was when Ciaran Curran did it in 1991. don’t want to repeat that again. I needed that loss to keep my hunger. But I’ve got to Senior: Paul Brady d. Eion Kennedy 10, 4. push forward from here for the Irish and Ladies: Fiona Shannon d. Aisling Reilly 14 , 11. Minor: Caolan Daly d. Gary McConnell 20, 15. U.S. nationals and the worlds.”
P
Brady’s jubilation is evident as he pumps his fist and raises his award in triumph.
Tony Hannon of the IHC with ladies’ runner-up Reilly and champion Shannon.
Hannon presents the minor singles awards to runner-up McConnell and winner Daly.
Edmonton hosts 20 talented Canadian juniors
T
Several of the juniors at the tourney in Edmonton get together for some good times.
he Sherwood Park Sharks Handball Club hosted the Alberta Handball Association Junior Qualifying Tournament on Feb. 21 in Edmonton. The tournament had 20 entries of juniors ranging from 7 to 18 and qualified players for the Canadian nationals. The Most Outstanding Female Award went to Sietske Van Der Heijde. A: David Doucette d. Ben Lavin. B: Parker Dorothy d. Josh Lavin. B consolation: Syvat Koval. C: Myra Koval d. Ruben Baker. D: Mathew Luedtke d. Danika Forester. Jacqueline and Mark Broverman 72 JUNE 2009
Untitled-41
2
5/13/2009, 10:48 AM