ENVIROGREEN IRISH NATIONALS 2009 - REPORT & PHOTOS by Michael McGee and others.
 
World handball champion  & Cavan G.A.A  star Paul Brady won his second Irish Nationals Envirogreen sponsored title with an exciting victory over a determined Eoin Kennedy from Dublin played in Kingscourt on Sunday 19th last. With glorious sunshine all weekend it was the same indoors with exciting finals throughout the day.  Kingscourt was packed all weekend and supporters were treated to top class handball with many finals having to go to tie breakers before winners emerged. Dave Vincent and Jeff  Kastner from the WPH made the long journey from the U.S. to webcast the finals worldwide while Chatten Hayes Co-Chair of the World Handball Championships Committee was a welcome guest 
at the finals.  Danny Murphy Ulster G.A.A. Secretary was also in attendance to make a number of presentations.
The standard at underage level continues to impress.  The Boys 17 & Under final between Jamie Lynch of Clare and Cork’s Killian Carroll was particularly eye catching with the impressive  Carroll hurtling himself to get to the ball without fear on numerous occasions while Lynch  showed great resilience to withstand the young Cork teenager of victory winning an enthralling contest by 21-18, 18-21, 11-7. It was also a great weekend for the young handball players from Monaghan winning their first Irish National titles. Darren Doherty & Padraig McKenna won the Boys 13 & Under and 
15 & Under titles respectively.
Diarmuid Nash from Clare had a hard fought victory over Mayo’s Stephen Cooney by 14-21, 21-7, 11-3 in the Boys 19 & Under final. In the Masters final  Michael “Ducksy” Walsh from Kilkenny overcame a very strong showing from Meath’s Tom Sheridan  in a gripping finale.  The Kilkenny man just edging home by 21-11, 21-18.The Ladies Final was a repeat of  this year’s All-Ireland Ladies singles final between Fiona Shannon and Aisling Reilly both from the St. Paul’s Club in Belfast. Shannon seeking her 3rd  World Ladies singles title in October, made the better start going into an unassailable lead of 14-0.  Reilly never really fired in the first game and Shannon took the 1st game all too easily by 21-5.   Reilly opened brightly in game two with an early 4-0 lead but it was short lived as Shannon drew level. Shannon surged well clear at 18-5 and was well on way to victory. Reilly responded well when faced with the Shannon onslaught and pulled back  the lead to 19-11. It was the closest she would get to the World Champion, with Shannon on her 3rd attempt at game ball duly won her 8TH National title in 11 years with a comfortable 21-11 win in game two.
Brady’s second goal achieved.
The Men’s final was between Cavan’s Paul Brady & Dubliner Eoin Kennedy in a repeat of the All-Ireland final 4 weeks previously.  Brady wearing a red New York Athletic shirt while Kennedy in his customary sky blue shirt of  Dublin.  This match was played in a high tempo throughout. Kennedy started with an great opening  lead of 6-1.  Brady after a sluggish start hauled himself  back into the contest with a strong showing of serves to Kennedy’s left and kills drew level at 6-6. It was again level at 7-7.  The Dubliner with an ace of the left side wall on serve, a kill in the right corner and a hook return had him on a score of 10-7.  Kennedy was very unlucky when he missed a shot at the front wall, Brady fortuitously taking the score.  Another Brady kill again had the sides level at 10-10.  The Cavan man kept the pressure on Kennedy and went into an 15-11 lead. In the next passage of play Brady won an excellent rally, Kennedy returned brilliantly 3 times yet Brady won the score.  Kennedy with great belief  and levels of fitness was “biting at Brady’s heels” when  only 16-14 behind.  Kennedy was returning magnificently everything that Brady throw at him. The only real difference between the two handball gladiators was  Brady more clinical with his kills.  Brady’s late “smash and grab” won an absorbing game one by 21-15.
Kennedy’s brave battling display not enough as Brady’s relentless momentum carries the day
Brady had the better start in game two going in front by 3-0. Then Kennedy “the Dublin alley cat” pounced. Brady was missing a number of kills from far out and Kennedy’s excellent low hard serving with the ball just bouncing over the short line to Brady’s left hand corner meant he had time to put away chances in the right corner.  Kennedy matched Brady and threw down the gauntlet to the World champion with great vigour and inner self belief.  Kennedy’s great fitness and anticipation gave Brady much to think about.  The Dubliner went into the lead by 8-4.  Brady the world champion that he is responded well and like two prize fighters in the ring no quarter was given or asked.  Our handball heroes slugged it out in the Kingscourt court with both players striving for the winning hand.  It was level at 9 & 11 and finely poised.    The Kingscourt Coliseum came alive with the energy displayed by the two handball giants in Irish handball.  Brady’s sheer athleticism all over the court now came into play.  His angles of running, scintillating  pace and precision kills eventually wore down Kennedy’s brave resistance.  Kennedy gave his all in a memorable final but Brady’s overall power play told in the end.  Kennedy could find no way past the impenetrable Brady, and the World champion rounded off an excellent final with a roll out in the right corner to win by 21-11.There was much to admire on Kennedy’s display but it was Brady’s overall drive and never say die attitude that won the day. Surprisingly it was only Brady’s second win in the National final but more importantly is Ireland’s representative in the Men’s open singles at the World handball championships next October in Portland Oregon. 
After the finals Irish Handball President  Tony Hannon congratulated both players.  He also thanked the Organizing committee, the Ulster Handball Council and Ulster G.A.A.  Sponsors Envirogreen were also thanked as was Dave Vincent & Jeff Kastner who webcasted the event worldwide.  Hannon, had a special mention to clubs, officials and referees over the weekend.  Kit Finnegan and his team were thanked for a wonderful job, as was Chris Curran and Niamh Egan in headquarters.  Following interviews by the R.T.E. crew.  I asked the National champion what were his thoughts following his win?

“Just relieved to get the win” came Brady’s response .  “It was very warm in there.  My legs were like jelly after some of the rally’s. It is good preparation for later in the year and I am happy with the win.”
Next question I asked Paul was he expecting the game from Eoin Kennedy a real improvement on the All-Ireland final,  he made it very hard for you?

“I knew that was going to happen.  Every match is different. I was aware of that before I went in.  A different day a different match.  Conditions had a big bearing it was very warm outside and  it was so warm in there.    I thought at one stage I was going to cramp up.  Eoin as you would expect a great battle.  He responded very well; typifies Eoin.  Such a competitior .   Just happy to get the win today.”

What’s next for Paul Brady with the U.S. Nationals in June.  You will probably focus your mind towards that?
“Yes, the U.S. Nationals in June.  It was good preparation there today.   I am happy that I come through. My first goal was the All- Ireland and this was my second goal the Nationals.  The next one is the U.S. Nationals. I will get ready for that now”, concluded Brady.
Danny Murphy with U13 Champion Darren Doherty & R-up Barry Nash and Handball President Tony Hannon Tony Hannon with Tom Sheridan Masters A R-Up and Ducksy Walsh Winner
B19 Champion Diarmuid Nash with Stephen Cooney R-Up and Tony Hannon Paul Brady answers a few questions for RTE
Danny Murphy with B17 Champion Jamie Lynch and R-Up Killian Carroll & Tony Hannon Padraig McKennan B15 Winner with Ciaran Malone (R-Up) and Tony Hannon
FULL RESULTS OF THE ENVIROGREEN IRISH NATIONALS 2009

Boys 13 & Under Singles Darren Doherty (Monaghan) dft Barry Nash (Clare) 21-6, 13-21, 11-3 
Boys 15 & Under Singles Padraig McKenna(Monaghan) dft Ciaran Malone (Clare) 18-21, 21-17, 11-4
Boys 17 & Under Singles Jamie Lynch (Clare) dft Killian Carroll (Cork) 21-18, 18-21, 11-7
Boys 19 & Under Singles Diramuid Nash (Clare) dft Stephen Cooney (Mayo) 14-21, 21-7, 11-3
Girls 13 & Under Singles Cianna Ni Churraoin (Galway) dft Jennifer Fahey (Mayo) 21-14, 21-13
Girls 15 & Under Singles Lauren O’Riordan (Roscommon) dft Mary Phelan (Kilkenny) 21-7, 21-6
Girls 17 & Under Singles Catriona Casey(Cork) dft Lorraine Havern (Down) 16-21, 21-11, 11-7
Girls 19 & Under Singles Shauna Hilley(Wicklow) dft Leona Doolin(Roscommon) 21-13, 21-1
Men’s Open Singles Paul Brady (Cavan) dft Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) 21-15, 21-11
Men’s A Singles Ger Coonan (Tipperary) dft Darragh Daly (Tyrone) 21-10, 18-21, 11-3
Men’s B Singles David Walsh (Waterford) dft Patrick O’Donnell (Wicklow)  21-18, 20-21, 11-7
Men’s C Singles David Hope (Offaly) dft Barry Devlin (Tyrone) 21-17, 16-21, 11-4
Ladies Open Singles Fiona Shannon (Antrim) dft Aisling Reilly( Antrim) 21-5, 21-11
Ladies B Singles Lisa McAleer(Tyrone) dft Catriona Casey(Kerry) 21-1, 21-15
Masters A Singles Ducksy Walsh (Kilkenny) dft Tom Sheridan (Meath) 21-13, 21-18
Masters B Singles Canice Quigley (Kilkenny) dft Ollie Flasey (Kilkenny) 21-20, 21-5
Golden Masters A Singles Kevin Geraghty (Mayo) dft Johnny Brennan (Kilkenny) 21-10, 21-9
Golden Masters B Singles Eammon Rice (Wicklow) dft Dermot Doolin (Roscommon)12-21, 21-20, 11-3
G13 Winner Cianna Ni Churraoin (Galway) and Jennifer Fahy of Mayo Photo Top Right  - Paul Brady, Walter O'Connor(Envirogreen) Eoin Kennedy & tony Hannon
Photo Middle Right - Dave Vincent with Joe McCann 
Photo Top Left Ulster GAA Sec. Danny Murphy with Fiona Shannon, Aisling Reilly and Ton Hannon