World number one handballer, Cavan's Paul Brady continues his preparations for the US Nationals this week ahead of Friday's departure to Austin, Texas.

Brady will bid for a sixth consecutive crown stateside and despite losing out to Fermanagh in the Ulster Senior Football Championship on Saturday last, the Breffni man is optimistic that he can turn his fortune around in the handball alley next week.

"It is difficult to get yourself into a positive frame of mind after that devastating defeat, but I am confident about the shape I'm in and the handball I'm playing at the moment" said Brady, who lined out at wing-half back for the Cavan side last weekend.

"I suppose I'm trying to put the loss out of my mind, switch off, and re-frame things before I start mentally preparing for next week."

Brady's departure will mark a major blow to Tommy Carr and his Cavan side, who take on Wicklow in Round 1 of the Senior Football Qualifiers on Saturday week. The Mullahoran defender has been a regular in the Cavan defence for the past number of seasons, but defending his US Nationals crown will be Brady's priority next week.

"In terms of handball, it's what I've been training for all year really," he said.

"Championship football does take a lot out of you mentally and physically, especially the legs, so I'm just trying to balance resting with the fine tuning in training this week."

Brady will be up against some fierce opposition in the Texan capital, with top Irish players, Cork's Tony Healy, Armagh's Charly Shanks and Wicklow's Michael Gregan all crossing the Atlantic for the event. Americans, David Chapman, Emmet Peixoto, Luis Moreno and Sean Lenning will also be in action, while Brady's 2009 World Championship final opponent, Allan Garner, is one the Cavan man is waiting for.

"It's Allan's home state and I'm sure he will have great support, but he's one I'm expecting to meet and ready to play."

Antrim's Aisling Reilly will fly the flag for the Irish ladies and the 2009 World Championship finalist is seeded number one in the Ladies Open event, where she will take on America and Canada's top female handballers over the week long event. Action gets underway on Tuesday next, with draws set to be released this Thursday. Tweet

Most Read Stories