The stage is finally set for the DALKIA All-Ireland Senior Singles Final which pits Cavan's Paul Brady, bidding for his fourth consecutive title, against the Rebel County's Tony Healy. This final was scheduled to be played two weeks ago, but an appeal from the Ulster Handball Council forced the IHC to postpone the final until the GAA's Central Appeals Committee heard the case. At a meeting of Handball's Central Council last week, a proposal to have the postponed finals held at Abbeylara (Longford) was successful and the eagerly awaited finals will now take place on Saturday next at the new state-of-the-art facility in Longford. Minister for Sport, Seamus Brennan, officially opened the venue last week and this will be a welcome baptism for the fine facility. Brady is happy that the fixture is eventually being played, but insists that venue was never an issue that played on his mind. "I've been in courts all over the world; my stance has always been that I didn't care where the final was played," said the Mullahoran man. "I'll play anyone, anywhere, anytime; I'm relaxed, confident and really looking forward to the final." The opening game sees Antrim's Fiona Shannon and Aisling Reilly fight it out for the most coveted Ladies title in the 40x20 code. Shannon is aiming for an incredible seventh All-Ireland Senior title when she takes on her long-time friend and playing partner, Reilly next week. In their last meeting, the rising young star defeated Shannon for the first time in her competitive career. At 19, she is one of the bright lights of the future in Irish handball and this meeting will be as exciting the last. Shannon will not give up her crown without a fight, and it's certain that an awesome battle is in store. The Senior Men's Final is one of the most keenly awaited in years, with Brady and Healy having dominated this particular championship since the turn of the century. Healy is playing at the top of his game this year and Brady has continued to shine on the national and international stage over the past 12 months. "I'm just going to concentrate on what I have to do to this Saturday; everything that happened in the past is irrelevant and I just want to get the result," said Brady. The Breffni player is bidding for his fourth crown, and Healy his first since 2004. Tickets are already sold out for the finals and considering the postponement, this could be a match worth waiting for. Tweet

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