Nash rise clearest sign of Cork’s depth

To gauge the depth of talent in Cork hurling, says selector Kieran Kingston, look beyond the fact the Rebels have reached this year’s All-Ireland final.

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.