On a recent Thursday, after departing from St Felim’s National School located in Cavan town, Paul Brady pointed his vehicle in the direction of Dublin, towards Croke Park. These locations were places he had left behind but not forgotten.
Do you recall Paul Brady? His accolades include winning the world handball championship a total of five times, securing victory at the US Nationals 11 times and taking the All-Ireland senior men’s title on ten occasions. He was considered the master of handball, the supremo of the sport.
But, as it goes, he aged, sustained injuries, tied the knot, and entered fatherhood. His existence transformed. He never formally announced retirement nor did he exit amid fanfare. He simply distanced himself from the sport, almost unnoticeably.
When his name would arise in handball-related discussions, it would be framed in the past tense, as if he was a relic of the golden days of the sport. He slowly turned into a former handball player.
However, that’s not how his tale concludes.
There was no significant, clandestine strategy for him coming back, it merely transpired. From lounging at home watching Paw Patrol with his kids, Paudie and Lily, he found himself training with James Brady for the All-Ireland Masters Doubles one day. They secured a victory in the final against Mayo at the beginning of March. This reignited his drive for competitive play.
Brady admits that his competitive spirit resurfaced swiftly. “Even during the doubles final, I was determined to not lose and aimed to secure a win,” he shares.
Then, last Saturday, 44 years old Brady, 11 years post his last All-Ireland senior singles match, made a return to the handball court.
He triumphed in his first match of the round of 32 in Monavea, defeating Wicklow’s Michael Gregan with a score of 21-8, 21-2.
Following his welcome win, Brady shared, “It felt good to get over the initial match, dust off a bit, and perhaps navigate through the initial phase where spectators were keen to witness my comeback.”
Brady, originating from Cavan, didn’t stop there and claimed another victory in Ballymore Eustace on Monday, overcoming Kilkenny’s Peter Funchion with a score of 21-10, 21-11.
He’s scheduled to return to Croke Park this Saturday to compete in the All-Ireland singles quarter-final against Tyrone’s Conor McElduff. His preparation has been rigorous, and over the past few weeks and months, his aspirations have escalated. More than just participating, he desires and requires victory.
Between 2003 and 2013, Brady had an impressive decade in which he claimed ten All-Ireland senior singles titles, including a victorious run of nine consecutive wins. His last appearance in the competition was in 2013. Transitioning from dominating Ireland’s four-wall game, Brady shifted his attention to the U.S., competing and winning in eleven US Nationals, which was a historical feat.
Brady managed to tie with Naty Alvarado Senior’s record in 2019, however, the pandemic prevented him from breaking the record the following year. An opportunity presented itself at the end of 2021 when a US Nationals was conducted in Nashville. Brady travelled abroad in December hoping to break the record.
The challenger in the final was Killian Carroll which led to a tiebreaker. With the scores amazingly tied at 4-4, Brady endured a painful ankle injury, leading him to step down from the game. The following months were dominated by limping on an unresolved ankle injury. The mishap seemed to be a hint to abandon the sport he had previously ended his affiliation with Mullahoran following a loss in the Cavan SFC quarter-final in October.
Brady admits that he didn’t feel a compelling longing to resume his career in handball. He was content with his life away from the sport. However, Brady’s relationship with handball has always been intricate, a strange mixture of love and obligation which is hard to shake off. The decision to return presents a significant challenge.
In a recent reflection, Brady discusses the shift in pressure he experiences, claiming it has resurged since his return. Prior to living in America, he hadn’t experienced such intensity; however, it seems to have returned stronger since his decision to play again in Ireland.
In his autobiography, Open, Andre Agassi alluded to the internal turmoil of a player who has come to question their actions and motives. In recent times, I’ve found myself grappling with similar thoughts, questioning my path and what I’ve done to myself. Although I initially thought I could just play and see where it leads, I soon started doubting my ability. I realised I was back in a familiar position, yearning for victory. The choice I had was to either flee or confront these feelings, and historically, I’ve chosen to confront.
Between 2002 and 2011, I played senior intercounty football for County Cavan, winning three county titles with Mullahoran. However, these years were largely fruitless in terms of silverware. Throughout this period, I balanced football in Ireland and handball in America – a gruelling routine.
Following this, I acquired a Masters in sports psychology and dedicated some years in providing support to various athletes and teams, including the Longford and Ballyboden St Enda’s footballers. Away from competition, I was content. However, the proposal from my namesake, James Brady, of participating in masters doubles rekindled my competitive spirit, proving that just a small push can start a journey.
Handball has been part of our culture for a hundred years, albeit in the periphery of the public eye, thanks to the dedication of enthusiasts scattered across the country. RTÉ recently did a feature on two Afghan boys who’ve taken up the sport at an Irish school. There, students spend their breaks enjoying handball, striking the ball off any visible surface.
Anne Donnellan, the head of the school, explained the popularity of the sport and revealed plans to build handball walls to meet the students’ enthusiasm. According to her, the game has gained a sudden surge interest due to its simplicity and the fact that it can be played on any surface.
The minor aspect but nonetheless fundamental to its acclaim is intimately tied to St Felim’s School, a beacon of education in the town of Cavan. Handball, the playground’s unofficial currency, is likely so prominent primarily due to Mr Paul Brady, a teacher at the school who encourages, supports, and trains in handball.
Brady’s most lasting impact on the sport may well emerge from those who follow in his footsteps, although only time will tell. Repetitive individual training sessions at the newly minted Croke Park Handball Centre is where he found himself post classes on a typical Thursday; each successive drill, every successive shot striving for perfection.
Resolutely committed without a shadow of regret, Brady is all in. “My appetite for the game is as forceful as it was all those years ago; I haven’t changed,” he proclaims.
“For over two decades, my expectation when I stepped out to play was absolute victory; no room for questions or doubt. That was the inevitable outcome. Being unable to shift that expectation has been a challenge. Yet the conviction never strayed; if I truly desired it, I could still compete and emerge triumphant,” he asserts.
Only recently, Croke Park and the All-Irelands Handball was a part of his past. Now, Paul Brady has returned, intrepidly facing what lies ahead.