END TO END: Handing it to the greatest of them all

Paul Brady and Michael Finnegan. Michael Finnegan and Paul Brady. The current status of Cavan handball is, on the face of it, defined by two of the brightest lights of a golden generation of players. One is 33, from Kingscourt and was the greatest underage player this country has seen, amassing 15 minor All Irelands (from a possible 18) in three years. The other was 30 last month and is in his prime, the numero uno in the world game. This county is blessed that two greats have emerged, almost simultaneously, to dominate Irish handball for almost a decade. To put it in perspective, Cavan had picked up barely a handful of All Ireland titles in the 75-year history of the organised game prior to the '90s. The first came 79 years ago, when famed official Hughie Smith partnered Polo Grounds hero Victor Sherlock was a 60x30 Junior Singles champion in 1949, while Louis and Johnny Gilmore won the corresponding doubles 14 years later and Cavan Gaels pair Dominic Sheridan and Maurice Brady were Under 21 doubles champions in 1973. Dominic went on to team up with older brother Greg to take the All Ireland Junior Doubles, softball and hardball, in 1976. Twenty-four years ago this summer, Patsy Hand and Pat Donagh of Kingscourt also landed that title. Aside from those wins, and a couple of senior final appearances from the likes of Kit Finnegan (more of whom later), Louis Gilmore and Greg Sheridan, that was all Cavan handball had. The powerhouses were Tipperary, Clare and Kilkenny; Ulster were the poor relation and it didn't look like changing any time soon. Enter Kit Finnegan and Fr John Gilholy, two individuals who transformed the face of the sport in this county. From small acorns, Finnegan's youth programme in Kingscourt began to produce Ulster and All Ireland medallists, the likes of Jimmy McKeon and Roisin Faulkner. Fr Gilhooly, a man with a gift for coaching and a genius for inspiring young players, began to churn out champions like a conveyor belt from St Pat's College. In the late 80's, when Kit's son Michael began to dominate juvenile competitions, local players realised that something massive was happening. Finnegan won the lot - Under 12 to minor, singles and doubles with dual star Raymond Cunningham, and finally put Cavan handball on the map. Then, in his slipstream came Brady. In an era where the standard of play has never been higher, Brady has strode the global and national stage like a colossus. Lest you be in any doubt, here it is in black and white: Paul Brady is, quite simply, the greatest Irish handballer ever to lace a pair of gloves, a multiple All Ireland, US and world champion. They grew together in senior ranks and can look back on a haul of five senior doubles titles, a world title and a US Nationals Open Doubles. Michael Finnegan is a fine singles player too, rated in the top five in the contry, but, at senior level, has made his name in doubles. The trickiest position in handball is the right side of the doubles, where power, brains and, above all, absolute concentration are the tools of the trade. Together, Brady and Finnegan are the perfect team. They train together all year round in Kingscourt and complement each other in the doubles court. Their achievements over the last decade have been staggering, so much so that the Breffni sporting public almost take it for granted. Don't. To win last week, Brady came through five rounds of singles play and was forced to leave the court for treatment at a crucial stage in the final. His injury was so alarming that he almost didn't travel and was forced to withdraw from the doubles. Finnegan stepped up to pair with Dublin's Eoin Kennedy, a methodical player who was the perfect foil for the Cavan man's expolsive power. Having been overlooked at times for his role in his wins with a handball icon like the Gunner, this was a sweet victory for the popular Kingscourt man, who stepped out of the shadows to take the third world title of his career. As you read this, the pair are preparing to return home from Portland, Oregon, the official Irish representatives at the World Handball Championships with the two biggest trophies in their luggage. Meanwhile, at home in Cavan, you may have passed the new One Wall court at Breffni Park on your way to take your seat recently. The game is thriving in St Pat's College, Kingscourt and the recently-reformed Virginia club and the numbers playing are steadily growing again after a lull a few years ago. We truly have never had it so good. paul@anglocelt.ie