Brady and Finnegan take honours

Cavan’s Michael Finnegan and Paul Brady recorded a 21-11, 21-13 victory over 2009 champions, Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann (Mayo) in the GAA Handball Senior Doubles final at the St Coman’s, Roscommon yesterday (Saturday).

Brady and Finnegan produced some top handball in the closing stages of the second game to take their sixth title since 2003 and deny last year’s champions. Cavan controlled the opening game from start to finish, but it looked like the match might have gone to a third.

“We really had to dig deep for that win,” said Brady, who collected the All-Ireland Senior Singles title two weeks ago.

“In the second game, we were 11-7 down, and I suppose we were just concentrating on getting back level and then finishing it off; thankfully, we did.”

McCann and Keegan defeated the Breffni men in last year’s final and with a sell-out crowd for the game; the atmosphere at the Connacht venue was palpable.

“It’s a great venue and a fantastic club,” said the world number one, Brady.

“The atmosphere was something special and now the challenge to stay hungry for next year.”

In the Ladies Senior Singles final, Kerry’s Maria Daly defeated Antrim’s Aisling Reilly to take her third crown, while there was joy for Limerick’s Padraig O’Carroll and Eamon Davern in the Minor Doubes final, following their win over Galway’s Martin Mulkerrins and Seamus Ó Conghaile.

GAA HANDBALL RESULTS:

All-Ireland Finals, sponsored by O’Neills

Minor Doubles: Limerick (Padraig O Carroll/Eamon Davern) df Galway (Martin Mulkerrins/Seamus Ó Conghaile) 21-14, 21-18

Ladies Open Singles: Kerry (Maria Daly) df Antrim (Aisling Reilly) 21-17, 21-19

Men’s Open Doubles: Cavan (Paul Brady/Michael Finnegan) df Mayo (Dessie Keegan/Joe McCann) 21-11, 21-13