While his Cavan football teammates are preparing for their clash with Wicklow in the All-Ireland Senior Football Qualifiers on Saturday next, Paul Brady has been busy fine tuning his court tactics in Austin, Texas, ahead of today’s opening battle in the US Nationals.
Brady is bidding for an incredible sixth consecutive title in the Men’s Open grade, having dominated the singles and doubles competitions over the past decade.
He clinically dispatched of all opponents in 2009, and handed former world champion David Chapman (USA) one of his biggest drubbings to date in the final.
In 2008 he had just one ace to spare over fellow Irishman Cork’s Tony Healy and the return of the Ballydesmond man to competitive handball has been welcomed by all the handball fraternity.
Healy is also competing in the US Nationals, with 2010 All-Ireland Senior Singles finalist, Armagh’s Charly Shanks, Wicklow’s Michael Gregan and Cork’s Colm Jordon all involved in the Men’s Open Singles.
Brady takes to the court against Minnesota’s Andy Nett in his Round of 16 game, while his Irish counterparts were all involved in Round of 32 clashes on Tuesday.
‘I’m confident that I’ve put in the work,’ said Brady. ‘This is what I've been training for all year really, but I’m taking it one game at a time and I’m looking forward getting into the court to get started.’
Brady will be up against some fierce American opposition in the Texan capital, with last year’s beaten finalist Chapman, seeded number two, and Emmet Peixoto, Luis Moreno and Sean Lenning all central to the action.
Brady's 2009 World Championship final opponent, Allan Garner, is also one the Cavan man is certain to meet.
Antrim's Aisling Reilly will fly the flag for the Irish ladies and the 2009 World Championship finalist is seeded number one in the Ladies Open event, with her opening game taking place on Friday morning.
