Rebels must push on next year, insists Nash

Contrary to the minority, it was indeed a year of progress for the Cork hurlers; a first championship victory over Kilkenny since 2004, the unearthing of new talent in Séamus Harnedy and an end to their seven-year absence from the September showpiece.

Anthony Nash, however, isn’t blinded by a couple of complimentary stats.

The Cork goalkeeper points instead to the county’s one real ambition for 2013 — the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Fact of the matter is it wasn’t delivered upon.