Cavan’s Paul Brady will represent Ireland at the US Nationals in Austin, Texas next month following an emphatic 21-5, 21-8 victory over Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy in the Men’s Open Final at the GAA Handball Nationals in Kingscourt, Cavan on Sunday.
Just last month, the Dubliner pushed Brady to the brink in the semi-final of the senior championship and expectations were high that a repeat show was on the cards, but Brady had other ideas.
In the first game, he demonstrated his shooting prowess with kills from all angles and unfortunately for Kennedy, he also hit the same form in the second.
The current world number one notched up aces with ease to retain the crown he collected in 2009 and he will now bid for his sixth US Nationals crown next month when he competes in Texas.
‘To win the US Nationals is one of my main goals for 2010, and now I’m a step closer to achieving that,’ said Brady.
‘Thankfully, things went my way today but you always have to be on top of your game against Eoin, or he will punish you.’
Antrim's Aisling Reilly will also fly the Irish flag at the US Nationals following her victory over Kerry's Maria Daly in the Ladies Open Final at Kingscourt.
In the first game, there was very little between the two stars, but Reilly played with intent and was clearly out to avenge last weekend's All-Ireland Final defeat to her Kingdom opponent.
After some top class handball, Reilly took the first 21-17, but Daly pushed her all the way to the finish.
In the second game, Reilly looked in control early on but Daly showed the same flair as last weekend and rolled off aces to get back into the game. Reilly, however, saw the finishing line at 17-11 up and finished with style to seal her trip to Texas.
