World handball champion Paul Brady warmed up for next Saturday’s All-Ireland 40×20 Senior Doubles final with another fine showing at the latest WPH Race4Eight pro stop in Salt Lake City, Utah at the weekend, writes Paul Fitzpatrick.

Brady comfortably saw off top Americans Anthony Selestow and Emmet Peixoto before dismantling his current main rival, Californian Armando Ortiz, 15-10, 15-12 to advance to the final against Seattle’s Sean Lenning.

The decider was due to serve off late last night (Sunday), with Brady the red hot favourite to make it five wins from six on this season’s pro tour.

The Cavanman won’t have time to rest on his laurels when he returns, however, as he and partner Michael Finnegan will face Dublin’s Carl Browne and Eoin Kennedy in Saturday’s All-Ireland Doubles final at O’Loughlin’s, Kilkenny.

The Breffni duo are seeking a record-breaking 11th success in the grade, having lost out to Meath last year when five-time world champion Brady (36) was forced to retire due to injury with the match tied at one set apiece.

Meanwhile, over 100 of the country’s top juvenile players were in action in the Irish Junior Nationals finals weekend in Galway.

Recently-crowned All-Ireland minor champion Sean Kerr earned a repeat victory over the player he beat in that championship decider, Cork’s Tadhg O’Neill. On this occasion, Kerr ran out a 15-13, 15-8 winner.

In the U19 boys grade, Clare left-hander Fergal Coughlan and another Tyrone player, dual star Johnny Woods, advanced to the final.