Cavan's Paul Brady, who was crowned All-Ireland 40x20 Senior Singles Champion last weekend, will have his first outing in hardball on Friday 9th May when he takes on Mayo powerhouse, Dessie Keegan in Mullingar. Brady has not played the traditional hardball code since he was a minor 11 years ago, and his return to the big court has been welcomed by all in the handball fraternity. Brady's opponent, the 2006 hardball champion, Keegan is delighted to match-up against the current 40x20 world champion. "Everyone in the handball circuit, young and old, looks up to Paul; he's a great role model and it's fantastic to see him playing hardball," said Keegan. "I would also love to see him play in the senior softball championship; that would really give the big court a boost and he would probably be as formidable in the 60x30 as he is in the small court." Brady overcame Cork's Tony Healy on Saturday last to claim his fourth All-Ireland 40x20 title and has dominated the domestic and international small court stage for the last number of years. It's been a hectic few seasons in handball for the man they call 'the gunner', but he is really looking forward to his hardball outing. "I'm just going to enjoy it," said the Mullahoran man. "It's great, and maybe even a bit strange, to be in a competition where there is no pressure. "I'm looking forward to the game against Dessie; he's a great player but I'm just going to go in and give it my best - then we'll just have to see what happens." Brady and Keegan last met in the 40x20 code two years ago in the Senior Championship, but both players know hardball is a different ball game altogether. "Hardball is probably more similar to 40x20 handball than softball," explained Keegan. "The ball moves like a rocket and while people have been saying I should be beating Paul, if he can serve like he does in the small court, it will be a very tight game." Curtain raiser to the Mayo Cavan showdown will see Meath's Tom Sheridan, last year's beaten finalist, take on Kildare's Dara Ward. Sheridan is seeded 2nd in the championship with reigning champion, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy also in action against Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy on Sunday. The hardball championship might just be underway, but already there are plenty of exciting match-ups in the mix. Tweet

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