Healy returns for last hurrah

The eagerly-awaited first round of the men’s Open Singles serves off today at the World Handball Championships in CityWest, with the meeting of Cork’s Tony Healy and rising New York star Tyree Bastidas arguably the tie of the round.

Healy, a former two-time world finalist and four-time All-Ireland senior champion, vied with Paul Brady for the No 1 spot for much of his career and while a hip injury, work and family commitments saw him take a step back two years ago, he is returning for this tournament.

The 34-year-old Ballydesmond man admitted he isn’t approaching the tournament with the “24-7, total dedication” of old, but he could well still have enough up his sleeve to beat arguably America’s top youngster.

“I played him four or five years ago when he was just a young player starting out and I was more than a good bit ahead of him but he’s further down the road in his development now while I am in decline I suppose,” Healy told the Irish Examiner yesterday.

“I would expect him to be a lot better than the boy I played back then so maybe we might meet in the middle.”

Brady, meanwhile, takes on another New Yorker, Cesar Sala, a hurdle the No 1 seed should comfortably overcome.

“Brady’s still the man to beat,” insisted Healy. “I think he has broadened the gap and his tail isn’t being chased as hard as it was a couple of years ago so if he performs, I don’t see anyone stopping him or even coming close to him.”

Healy will team up with his clubmate Brendan Fleming for the Open Doubles, which begin in midweek.