Brady sets new record
Cavan’s Paul Brady confirmed his status at the best 40×20 player to ever grace the courts of Ireland when he saw off the challenge of Armagh’s Charly Shanks to claim his eighth All-Ireland Senior Singles title yesterday afternoon (Sunday) in Abbeylara.
In claiming another crown, Brady has now set a new Irish record, having equalled that of Kilkenny legend, Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh in 2010.
“I’ve been training for this day for 12 or 13 years; it was a long-term goal and words really can’t describe what it means to me,” said an emotional Brady.
Brady, who had his broken finger heavily strapped during the game, looked off the pace early on as Shanks surged into an early 9-1. At 12-3 down, questions were really being asked of the defending champion, but he came up with the answers and battled back into contention to level matters at 16.
Brady pulled off some incredible finishes to take the first game 21-17, much to the delight of his supporters in the packed to capacity Longford venue.
“I really can’t remember much about the scores in the first game; I was just concentrating on ace after ace and thankfully, following a bit of a shaky start, things began to go right for me.”
In the second game, the world number one produced one of the most dominant performances of his career, as he brushed aside the challenge of the talented Armagh man on a scoreline of 21-3.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster this week and up until today, I really wasn’t sure I was going to be able to play with my finger, but I had great medical people looking after me,” said Brady.
“My focus is straight onto the doubles now so it leaves little time to digest today’s win; that’s handball I suppose, but I’m thrilled with the victory.
It’s a special one.”
Meanwhile, in a hugely entertaining Ladies 40×20 All-Ireland Senior Doubles Final, Kerry’s Maria Daly and Ashley Prendiville defeated Antrim stars, Fiona Shannon and Sibeal McKenna after a three game tussle. Antrim won the first 21-20, but the Kingdom ladies pushed into top gear in the second and third, to retain the crown they won in 2010 with a 21-8 victory in the third.
In the Minor 40×20 Final, Cork’s Killian Carroll collected his county’s first honours since fellow Rebel, Tony Healy won the title in 1996. Carroll produced an awesome display to overcome Kildare’s Niall O’Connor on a scoreline of 21-7, 21-5.
