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Eoin Kennedy Goes Down to Paul Brady in 40*20 All-Ireland Singles Final - Mon, 16 Mar 2009

Hard luck to Eoin Kennedy who went down to 40 by 20 kingpin Paul Brady in the 40 by 20 All-Ireland Singles Final. It was always going to be a big ask for Eoin as he specialises in the 60 by 30. Well done on reaching the final. We are all proud of you.

Report:

Not all the superlatives would be enough to describe the senior singles final. From Paul Brady's point of view it had everything. The Men?s final was the one all came to watch. The king of the small court up against the king of the big court something had to give and it was an emphatic victory for the king in court himself Cavan's Paul Brady. Dublin's Eoin Kennedy played his part in the final but it was Brady's class that told. The Cavan G.A.A. star breezed into an 8-0 lead before Kennedy opened his account. Kennedy took a time out to try to come to terms with Brady's early onslaught. This he did to an extent. Hopping the ball a number of times before serving he tried to slow the game down a bit. Kennedy managed to come within striking distance of Brady with a number of good scores at 10-6. Brady's athletic prowess all over the court was unbelievable landing precision shots off either hand was a joy to behold. Brady?s serve and shoot style was now in evidence and try as he did Kennedy simply had no answer to Brady's all out attacking play. It was vintage Brady who displayed clinical finishing. Kennedy tried to use the lob serve to Brady?s left but had no real effect and he quickly changed to serving to Brady's right again with no benefit. Brady finished off the first game with a passing shot to Kennedy's right by 21-10.

The second game Brady was at his brilliant best nobody would have lived with him. The packed St. Coman's gallery could only look on in amazement and in awe of Brady as he demolished Kennedy. Brady who showed an appetite and freshness that was lacking in the last year. The winter break did him good as he has come back stronger, fitter, faster than ever. Brady was unstoppable as he swept Kennedy aside with the full range of skills. The World champion was simply awesome and his artillery continued to bombard Kennedy into submission time and time again. His precision guided missiles of kills and passing shots left everyone speechless. It was breathtaking stuff from Brady and a top class performance that the handball fraternity are ever likely to see. Kennedy's pain came quick and when the end arrived Brady had shown his undoubted class in a convincing 21-4 second game. The crowd rose to their feet in appreciation and gave both players a standing ovation. Even the legendary Michael "Ducksy" Walsh who refereed the final congratulated Brady on a world class performance that that is why he is no.1 said Walsh.

Tony Hannon the President of the IHC thanked both Brady & Kennedy and acknowledged them as 2 exceptional players. Hannon went further stating it was an excellent match of a World class standard. It was Brady's 5th title in a row and 6th overall. "It will take something special to knock Paul off his title run," added Hannon. Hannon praised the St. Coman's Club and Officials for having the court in tip top condition and also thanked the Sponsors Dalkia and Chris Curran & Niamh Egan for organising the championships.

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