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.”
