All-Ireland Senior Singles
Match Report Tony Healy (Cork) dft Paul Brady
(Cavan) 17-21, 21-5, 21-20
Tony Healy
from the Ballydesmond Club in Cork. Tony won his title in dramatic fashion at
O'Loughlins in Kilkenny on Saturday evening when he defeated World Champion
Paul Brady.
Brady was
in great form in the first game, controlling the court while racing into a 12 -
2 lead. However Healy stamped his mark on this game which lasted over 1 hour
and leveled at 16 all in fantastic recovery. However Brady upped a gear again
to win the first 21-17.
It was all
Healy in the second and in winning 21-5 he displayed some of the greatest
handball artistry of his career and he needed to as Brady was always dangerous.
The second game lasted for 40 minutes and with the match all square, Ducksie
Walsh in the referees seat and a packed gallery, we were in for the long haul.
Healy
started the third as he had finished the second, dominating and exercising
amazing control over the World Champion with 'inch perfect' kill shots and
awesome serves which had Brady scrambling to retrieve, not alone return them.
Brady is never beaten however until the final ace and he staged a remarkable
recovery from losing 10 - 2 to leveling at 16 all. The crowd were at fever
pitch but Healy dismissed him and went on to kill or serve aces to lead 20 -
16. Brady pulled off a great deep court kill and went on to level at 20 all.
Both players had ample opportunity as they exchanged hands but it was Healy who
had the mental strength to go for the final telling shot to regain the All
Ireland Championship which had eluded him for the past 2 years. Tony was
champion in 1999, 2000 and 2001. He lost the final to Owen Kennedy of Dublin in
2002 and to Paul Brady last year. Coaches, Parents and lots of officials were
filled with emotion as the gentleman from Cork rightfully regained his crown.
This victory will have a huge impact on the Irish Nationals which will be
played in Kingscourt in May as the seedings will change after this victory for
Healy and throw up some interesting combinations.