HE WAS AN Allstar winner last year and is in pole position to reclaim that award in 2013.
Anthony Nash’s outstanding form in goal has been a key reason in propelling Cork towards next Sunday’s All-Ireland final against Clare.
Yet his early memories of marquee days in Croke Park are indelibly linked to the Limerick hurlers rather than those from Cork.
With two uncles, Declan and Mike, anchoring the defence in the Limerick team that tirelessly pursued the Liam McCarthy Cup in the 90′s, it was easy to locate hurling heroes.
Their heartbreaking final losses in 1994 and 1996 stir up a well of emotions for Nash.
“I was asked before in a player profile outside of playing, what’s the hardest thing you’ve dealt with and I said those two performances,” revealed 28 year-old Nash.
“I’ve watched them back since on TG4 and you would have felt so sad for them. They’ve had fantastic careers and they’ve been fantastic ambassadors for Limerick hurling.
“Blood is thicker than water so that’s why I would have supported them. When the lads stopped playing I kind of faded away. 110% I’ve always been a Cork person and there’s no doubting that.
“In fairness to them (the uncles) they’ve rang. I’m very close to my family. My cousin Barry would have played in the (minor) semi-final the last day (for Limerick). They stay away from me because they don’t want to be in my head but I always enjoy when I chat to them.”
Rebel Heroes
When Nash started to make waves in his own hurling career with Cork, other heroes soon emerged.
“When I was a minor my puckouts were rather shocking to be honest. My father got in contact with a man from the ‘Barr’s and put me in contact with Ger (Cunningham).
“Since then we’ve kind of kept close contact. He’s developed my game with me along the way so I’m indebted to him.
“I remember also the first time I ever was called into the Cork team we trained in Castlemagner and Brian Corcoran was the first man over and welcomed me to the panel.
“I nearly fainted at the sight of him. I thought it was one of the nicest things that a fella could have done.”
And even current teammates influence the career of Nash, a business and accounting teacher in Mitchelstown CBS.
“I think Patrick Horgan is the best free-taker that I have come across anyway. I go up to the Glen messing about with him but if he sees something I’m doing wrong he would have picked me up on it.
“I’m constantly learning. There’s no such thing as a complete hurler and I know there’s an awful lot of stuff that I have to improve on in my game.”
Anthony Nash celebrates the win over Dublin.
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
Hurleys
And Nash’s efforts to enhance his game extend to his diligent and detailed care of the hurleys he uses.
The selection process for Sunday’s game is intensive. Nine sticks will be packed in his luggage for the trip to Dublin with Cork footballer Aidan Walsh his preferred craftsman.
“It’s like picking the team – whoever plays well at training. Aidan’s very good, we put away slabs so they season over a year and then when he comes home he can make them and they’re ready to go then straight away.
“I’d be very fussy when it comes to hurleys. Aidan would tell you that. Gripping hurleys and making sure the handles, the weight and the balance are right. It’s great to have a friend making hurleys because I can wreck his head a bit more than other people!”
