Nash rise clearest sign of Cork’s depth
It is a massive achievement considering the loss to injury of Paudie O’Sullivan, the absence at different times of the year of star players such as captain Pa Cronin and Brian Murphy, the loss to rugby of last year’s breakthrough player Darren Sweetnam, the continued absence through choice of dual stars Eoin Cadogan, Aidan Walsh, Damien Cahalane and Ciarán Sheehan.
The evidence goes beyond that though, says Kieran — just look instead to the goalkeeping position. For over a decade Donal Óg Cusack had been the man between the sticks for Cork, a man who, it was generally accepted, had brought goalkeeping to a new level. But then came the league semi-final win over Tipp in Thurles and a season-ending injury to Cusack when he snapped an Achilles tendon.
It meant a new goalkeeper for Cork, back-up Martin Coleman initially, then third-choice Anthony Nash. What happened next? After a stunning debut season Nash was selected for an All Star award, has continued that form into 2013 and is now firm favourite to pick up another and is also in the running for Hurler of the Year.
Donal Óg Cusack? Gone, surplus to requirements.
Kingston said: “Donal Óg was very unfortunate to get a serious injury last year in the league semi-final. Martin Coleman stepped in and played and then Anthony got his opportunity and has taken it with both hands, but it goes back to the point — there are always good hurlers in Cork. If Donal Óg didn’t get injured or Martin was still in goal Anthony wouldn’t have his All Star.”
It was a hard decision, especially in light of the fact that Cusack hadn’t slipped, hadn’t failed in any way — far from it, and his attitude even in injury was exemplary.
Kingston pays due tribute, but stands by the evaluation: “Any decision to leave any player who has had such a fantastic career with Cork, not just Donal Óg, is a huge decision to make and is not one which is taken lightly. Donal Óg has been a fantastic servant to Cork hurling and a huge success and a huge influence in the dressing room as much as on the pitch.
“We see that in all the players who played with him and we as management saw it too, as captain of the team last year. He was a super captain and he was a huge loss.”
What choice did they have, however? Drop the current All Star keeper? They could have had Cusack on the bench, but what message would that have sent to Nash, and to Cronin, who had succeeded Cusack as captain? A complete separation, that was the decision, look to the future.
Ironically, Ger Cunningham, the long-serving and much decorated keeper Cusack had replaced in 1998, is also part of Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s management team, a man given great credit by Nash for his rise to the top.
“I’m very lucky to have Ger Cunningham involved the last few years with me,” Nash said recently. “When I was a minor my puck-outs were fairly shocking to be honest and my father got in contact with a man from the Barr’s and he put me in contact with Ger.
“Since then we’ve kind of kept close contact and he’s been great to me and developed my game with me along the way.”
It has all paid dividends now, rich dividends, as what was once Nash’s weakness has now become one of his greatest strengths.
Fitting in a way, that it should all come together like this; Cunningham’s coaching, Cusack’s pioneering of puck-out strategy, all now in a new more advanced package. Cork hurlers? Kieran is right – talent everywhere, latent and otherwise.
* Visit our special All-Ireland section for more news and analysis on this year's All-Ireland final
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
