Twenty-two years on from his first All-Ireland Senior Singles success, Paul Brady is back in the final this Saturday at Croke Park and gunning for an 11th title.
Brady claimed his 10th All-Ireland singles medal at the elite level in 2013 before opting to retire from domestic singles competition and focusing on international events. He sensationally decided to come back last year and had one hand on the Gael Linn Cup only to succumb to injury in the final.
In the meantime, Brady won the World Championships last November and has now powered his way back to the All-Ireland decider where he meets Cork’s outstanding young player David Walsh this Saturday (ladies final 2pm, men’s final approximately 3.30pm).
There has been a three-week break since the semi-final, unusually lengthy, which suited the Cavanman fine, he said.
“I suppose I’m happy to have the extra week. When you get to this stage of your career, you’re happy to have the extra recovery time, and having that extra breathing space for total focus for this final has allowed me to shake off a few little issues I had. I’ll be coming into the match fresh and focused,” Brady said.
“Ordinarily, it may have been a factor, but in this instance, it has definitely helped me a lot, so I’m glad to have the three weeks. But I think every player will adjust accordingly anyway.”
Not getting the title last year hurt and has fuelled the fire, he said.
“Obviously, I tried to use the learnings from that. It was very disappointing at the time, the way it ended, being so close to victory. I would use that sporadically just to fuel motivation, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t mean a whole pile. It’s about executing shots next week. So I use it to motivate myself, but that’s it. At the end of the day, it’s a new test against David and a new challenge, and I just prepare for that on its own merits.”
Brady has amassed a bank of experience unparalleled in the sport. Over time, his outlook has adjusted but he remains hungry.
“Without revealing too much, in the early years I was so intense. It was so all-consuming for the first part of my career, the first 10 years, say. Then I started to relax a wee bit more, so I suppose my advice to my younger self would be to relax and enjoy it all and savour each day and each final.
“For a period of time, I was just on to the next one, not really stopping or drawing breath. It was just achieve the next goal, achieve the next title.
“At this stage again, I just enjoy it all. I’m lucky to be still playing and competing at the level I am at this point in time, so I just enjoy it all. I’m really looking forward to the day and the occasion. Like I say, it’s great to be still involved.
“Every time I approached a final, I always had the mindset that I might never get back to one, and I had to really focus and really capitalise on this opportunity - and that’s the way I’ll approach this again.
“So I’m looking forward to the game, and I’ll use my experience from many, many big finals, many, many big occasions. I’ll draw on that experience coming into it, and I’ll give it my best shot. I’ll enjoy the occasion as best I can, but at the end of the day, it’s all about making sure I perform and give myself the best chance of getting the result - and that’s what it’s all about.”
Admission
Admission will be charged for the Senior Singles Finals only. The Showcourt auditorium will be cleared after the morning's matches and admission will be by ticket holders only prior to the Senior Finals, wristbands will be distributed to all patrons, no wristband no access to the Showcourt. Tickets can be purchased from the link below, of which there are two options available:
Main stand: €20 per person
Side Galleries: €15 per person
Buy tickets here.