‘To win just once would be enough’ or so the song chimes on. But for Paul Brady, who has been dominating the handball circuit for over 10 years, five consecutive world championship titles would be sufficient for him.
It’s just a few days before the 35 year-old flies out to Calgary for the 2015 World games, but speaking to Dublin City FM earlier in the week, the Cavan man conceded that this it is likely to be his last.
Three more years is a long time, so this is my last shot. Obviously you’re never happy and there’s always new goals. I’ll probably look down the road of coaching after this but I’ll happy-ish.
The four-time world champion has suffered just two defeats in 10 years of competition and considers himself to be in bonus territory now having already surpassed records after he claimed a third world title.
But there’s a distinct sense of loneliness involved with handball and Paul Brady is glad to have club football with Mullahoran for an athletic switch of scenery.
On the football pitch, I’m trying to lead players so it’s a different dynamic. It’s a good mental release and I can just forget about the handball.
It is lonely at the top so for two or three years I did feel that way. When I started out, I had all these goals and then suddenly I had passed them and I had everything I wished for. You become the hunted rather than the hunter but I’ve adjusted to that since then.
There’s a notable sense of expectation surrounding Paul Brady, but despite the inherent pressure associated with the drive for five, he insists that this is merely another contest he intends to conquer.
This year I did more (training) than I normally would. I went over to America for a month in October and November and I took in three tournaments as well. The last six or seven weeks I’ve been able to put in a good block of strength and conditioning as well.
It depends on how much pressure you put on yourself, I try to just draw a line in the sand after every tournament. The past doesn’t really count and I’m flying all the way out there so I don’t want to come back without a win.
