MEATH NATIVE CONOR Nash is set to make his AFL debut on Saturday as his Hawthorn FC side face Geelong.
The 20-year-old, who impressed as a minor with the Royals, joined the Hawks in late 2016 as a rookie but has spent most of his time in Melbourne playing with the Box Hill Hawks in the Victorian Football League.
Also a talented rugby player, Nash has played for Leinster and Ireland U18s clubs but ditched that along with plans to study medicine as he moved Down Under.
And now he’s set for his debut.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” he told the clubs official website ahead of their Melbourne Cricket Ground clash with Zach Tuohy and Mark O’Connor’s Cats this weekend.
“When I found out yesterday in front of the family in the car, it was just pure joy. I can’t wait, and I look forward to contributing to the team.”
Feeling lucky? 🍀😁
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) August 9, 2018
Hawthorn will unveil Irish debutant Conor Nash this Saturday against the Cats.
📝: https://t.co/xdqqVkKKPX#GameFaceOn pic.twitter.com/SOjgupDX2v
Nash added of his family who were visiting and preparing for their flight home before hearing the news:
“Clarko asked them if they could prolong their flights until Sunday or Monday. They’ll get to see me play which is a very special moment for them, and for myself as well.
“I’ll be creating chaos, [creating] pressure as well, and using my speed and athleticism.
“I’m sure I’ll be spent after the game.”
There’s further good news for the Irish Down Under as Kerry 21-year-old O’Connor has been elevated to the senior list at Geelong and takes his place as an interchange on Saturday.
This comes as his second AFL match this year, while Laois star Tuohy has been named to start in the half-backs.
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Ruddock Leavy Heaslip O Brien Van der Flier Murphy Fardy Conan Deegan Leinster back row strength is unreal If carlsberg did backrows they would probably not be as good as Leinsters
Rare to see two players joining straight from school in Aungier and O’Sullivan.
I just don’t know how Leinster are going to keep all these backrows happy but I hope they do.
The talent level being brought through is amazing.
@Gustave H: the great thing is the talent is flowing to the first team and beyond so they must know the way to keep them all happy.
@Gustave H: Let Ulster sign them to let them get game time.
@Christiaan Theron: I don’t think it’s a case of letting them. They want to stay and fight for their place.
From what I heard Ulster went in heavily for Jack Conan and he’d no interest.
@Gustave H: True. There’s one or two that would want to do a serious bit of thinking though. It’s admirable wanting to earn the starting spot here, but playing week in week out and in Champions Cup games in Ravenhill would stand to them more than a few Pro12 games during the Six Nations. It’s a short career, and waiting in line didn’t work out for Ryan or Madigan.
Some of these kids should go on loan to Ulster and London Irish
@Aidan O: They don’t want to.
@Lf: Shows how ambitious they are. Every player knows they have to play regular on the 23 for a province to get capped.
@Christiaan Theron: You’re right Christian, it does show how ambitious they are. Instead of moving to another lesser side backing yourself to get into a team packed full of talent that’s more likely to challenge for trophies shows serious ambition and confidence.
@Christiaan Theron: Heaslip, O’Brien, Leavy, Murphy, Van der Flier, Conan and Ruddock. All Irish internationals
@Oval Digest: You mean like Marty Moore and Ian Madigan now presently lost to the Irish national side.
@Christiaan Theron: did James Ryan not get capped for Ireland before playing for Leinster?
@Christiaan Theron: Haha those support my point! Both stayed and were in the Irish squad, when they left they were found out a bit and left out.
Why would you want to head to Ulster or London Irish if you were an ambitious, talented player from Leinster?
If anything, it would show a lack of ambition to move.
@Christiaan Theron: Ulster should try developing their own players instead of relying on Saffers and other provinces.