CORK GOALKEEPER ANTHONY NASH kept a clean sheet against Clare’s posse of scoring stars. However it was his scoring contribution that drew the most attention after a thrilling draw in the all-Ireland hurling final.
Nash was twice denied goals by brilliant saves from opposite number Patrick Kelly. In between his close call from a 20-yard free and a penalty miss, Nash lashed in a free that gave his team a genuine sense that a comeback was on against an impressive Clare outfit.
Speaking to RTÉ after the match, Nash admitted he was unsure if he should be happy or sad with the draw. “With 15 minutes to go we were well out of the game and when injury-time was up we felt we had the lead,” he said. Domhnall O’Donovan struck a point after injury time had elapsed but referee Brian Gavin may have been allowing added time for Nash’s upfield forays as Cork scrapped their way back into a pulsating final.
“It was the strangest game ever,” he said. “I was out on my feet at one stage. I was more out of the goal than I was in the goal for two or three minutes. It was strange. We just have to put the heads down for the next three weeks, drive on and prepare for another final.” Nash added:
With the first one, I was probably put out because their goalkeeper encroached so close to me. I was expecting a re-take but they played on and that was it. I was lucky with the second one [the goal] and the third one just didn’t get over the line. It was unfortunate enough to hit the crossbar. It could have went over or under.”
Nash admitted Clare were the better team for 65 minutes of the final and believes the replay will not come fast enough both fans, and hurling-loving neutrals
“Hurling is the best sport in the world in my opinion,” he declared. “We’re lucky to have it, and we had a draw last year [between Kilkenny and Galway] and looking from the sidelines last year, you said, ‘How are they going to pick themselves up?’
“We’re in that position now, and you have to put your head down again, back to training, as if you’re preparing for a first final again.”
Not a Cork fan but this guy is pure class. Whether Cork go on to win the replay or not he’s definitely deserving of an all star for his performances this year.
As for his comments about Barry Kelly in his post match interview he showed pure class and Davy Fitz could take some lessons from him.
Not a Clare man, but corner a guy like Davy Fitz straight after a game and he’ll shoot from the hip, raw emotion. I don’t doubt that with hindsight he’d approach it differently. Sure we’d be lost without characters like him in the game.
hindsight, ha!!!!! sure didn’t sound like that with his interview on clare fm this morning!
the man is a disgrace to Clare hurling with all his stupid carry on!!!
I’m from Limerick, but i think its safe to say Nobody in Clare, either supporters or county board, will give a damn what he says in interviews if they win on the 28th. It’s not a popularity contest.
Anthony Nash gets a lot of coverage here and rightly so. However every man who togged out for Clare and Cork today should be held as national treasures.
A very proud Irishman today.
Get over it aideen Davy was dead right
What’s the story with the love in with Nash in the journal or is he the only player they allow out to speak?
The fact he’s the best keeper in the country, by a distance, might have something to do with it.
Nash is a proud limerick man who did his duty for the boys in green today ;)
Nash is a cork man. His relations are limerick
Trevor needs to do his homework! !!