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Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Hurling Education

Cork netminder Nash pays tribute to Cusack

Last year’s Allstar winner has spoken of the influence the established goalkeeper has had on his career.

ALLSTAR WINNING GOALKEEPER Anthony Nash has pointed out the key role that Donal Óg Cusack has played in shaping his hurling development.

Cusack was recently informed by the Cork management that he would not be part of the Rebels squad for this season’s Allianz Hurling League.

Cork begin their Division 1A campaign next Saturday night against Tipperary and Nash, who was between the posts in last summer’s championship after Cusack suffered an Achilles tendon injury in last April’s league semi-final, is in line to start.

But while Cusack is no longer involved, Nash is still keen to stress the influence that the Cloyne man had.

“He has been a great help to me since joining the panel, he has been a super help to me. This is my seventh or eight year on the panel and every single step of the way he was there to try and improve me and get me through it.

“Even last year he even brought me up to Croke Park for the Dublin/Laois football game just to get me used to the atmosphere before the Galway game because I had not played in Croke Park before.”

Nash insists that his focus is solely on his own performances now rather than getting drawn into the situation where Cusack will not be featuring.

“As (Cork selector) Kieran Kingston made a kind of a joke it, that is why the management are paid millions  to make decisions. I am not covering up again but I am just dealing with my own game. If I start think about what is going to happen that is going to destroy my own game and then I am under pressure.

“Trust me on Saturday night I will have enough to worry about against Tipperary with six of their forwards bearing down on me in goal. Darren McCarthy was involved last year as goalkeeper, Martin Coleman was there for a few years and another guy William McCarthy as well.

“I would have enough of a battle never mind who was there or wasn’t.  You have to worry about your own standards and whoever you are battling with, it doesn’t really make a difference to your preparations.

“I sent Donal Og a text at the time thanking him, he was in America at the time and as we all know he is such a busy man, he has other things outside of hurling as well.  He has always been a great servant to Cork and I am sure that if I ever need him again he will be at the end of the phone.”

Nash also dismissed recent rumors that there is currently dissent in the Cork camp.

“If it was coming from inside the camp then you would say that it would affect you but it is not coming from inside the camp, there is absolutely no change from any other year. There are rumours every year you start.

To be honest, I try and avoid it and my family try and avoid it as well so it doesn’t get to me. There is absolutely nothing happening I can assure you and where some of the rumours come from is beyond me. Everything is the same as always.”

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