Brady signs off on a high with amazing win

Paul Fitzpatrick

Paul Brady has played his last match in the World Handball Championships - and he signed off on a high with arguably his greatest performance as he beat Killian Caroll 21-8, 21-2 in the final in Calgary, Canada this evening.

Brady tore into his young opponent from the off, firing bullets from the service box as he raced into a 17-4 lead in game one, reaching 18 with a deft ‘paddle kill’ in the left corner.

But there were signs as the match wore on that Carroll was growing into the contest. Brady made some uncharacteristic hand errors as the Corkman clawed his way to eight and successfully defended game-ball before the former Breffni footballer closed out the first with a textbook crack serve down the left.

Carroll was attempting to assert himself and slow the pace of the game down, with some success, with three-wall wrap and ceiling shots but he looked in trouble whenever Brady upped the aggression and attempted to end rallies early and often.

And in the second game, the Cavanman was at his ruthless, brilliant best. Laying down an astonishing eight flat kills, he sped into a 16-0 lead.

Carroll pulled back two points but Brady was relentless, closing it out with two more amazing ace serves and three kills.

An emotional Brady held back tears after the match as he paid tribute to Carroll and his family back home, who he said, had supported him throughout his career and revealed that he not play in the Worlds again.