Barry Nash: 'We know how great we are'

The Limerick defender says this team knows what it's capable of.

Tom Morrissey, left, and Barry Nash of Limerick celebrate after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Clare and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

Barry Nash says this Limerick group appreciate the full extent of their capabilities.

It was only in the very first second of additional time when Aidan O’Connor struck his goal that they went ahead of Clare after trailing for over of an hour of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final.

These characteristics, we’ve seen before. Think 2022 All-Ireland semi-final v Galway, think 2023 Munster final v Clare, think this year’s provincial final renewal v Cork.

Nash pointed to the bounce they received from the likes of Cian Lynch and Mike Casey as substitutes. In the Munster final in June, it was Tom Morrissey with two points that provided the catalyst. Earlier in the championship, Morrissey and Lynch helped turned the game against Waterford.

“Look, it was just composure, really,” said the corner-back. “We know how great we are. We're a brilliant team and we just needed to go out and show it out there in the second half.

“Again, our bench have been incredible. They gave us a great boost coming on. They bring so much energy and they made a big difference there in the second half.” 

Nash agreed Clare provided them with an examination that blew away any cobwebs from the four-week break from the Munster final win over Cork.

“That was an incredible test that was put to us there today by Clare, an incredible team. We've had some brilliant battles throughout the years and thankfully we got over the line today.

“They were well on top in the first half. We definitely needed to make some changes there and we started to dominate that puck-out a bit more in the second half. Just getting that ball to ground really was a big thing.

“Coming away on the breaks, our boys in midfield picked up a lot of breaks and we got ahead of the play there and got a few numbers up the field, which was great. But I thought our half-back was brilliant there in the second half.

"Our four weeks went brilliant. We trained really well, had some great in-house games and I suppose we just came out a bit flat today. We got going now in the second half but we'd be very disappointed with our shooting efficiency. That needs to improve the next day if we want to get over the line.” 

Ahead of what will be his sixth All-Ireland final and should be his fifth as a starter, Nash has learned to embrace the build-up. “You enjoy these two weeks. Not every day, not every year you get a chance to play in an All-Ireland final.” 

Like his manager John Kiely, the 29-year-old didn’t watch Galway’s semi-final win over Cork on Saturday but the tight final round win over them in March gave him an understanding of Micheál Donoghue's charges.

“Galway are a fantastic team. A good mix of youth and experience there. They're going to be a massive test to get over in two weeks' time. We're looking forward to it and it’ll be a great battle.”