Anthony Nash was first brought onto the Cork panel in 2005.
Over the course of the next six years, the Kanturk player would only make one Championship appearance, when he replaced the suspended Donal Óg Cusack in the 2007 Munster semi-final against Waterford. Nash didn’t start another championship game until 2012, aged 28.
When the distinguished goalkeeper called time on his inter-county career on Sunday, the instant reaction was one of surprise, that Nash had a couple more years in him. What you’d forget is that for almost half of his time in training, the two-time All-Star was an unknown and underappreciated number two.
So at 36 years of age, he leaves behind him a full and impressive inter-county career that left a number of indelible memories.
While his county-man Donal Óg Cusack was the original pioneer of the short puck-out, Nash brought it to new levels with his power and laser-like accuracy. Having bided his time, he excelled when he got the chance.
Unlike many others, he can always lay claim to having changed the GAA rule-book with the ‘Nash rule,’ which was brought in after his inventive and border-line unstoppable penalties and 21mt frees.
Aside from the ball-striking, for eight years Nash was an ever-dependable number one who rarely let his county down. Now, he says, it’s time to focus on the golf.
A man who bided his time and then excelled when he got the chance.
A man who brought puck-outs and ball-striking to new levels.
A man who can always lay claim to having changed the GAA rule-book 📕
Happy retirement @AnthonyNash6, one of a kind 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/jPQolkhQjy
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) December 6, 2020
“Just like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from inter county hurling. I’d like to thank all my family, friends and teammates who supported me throughout my career. It was a dream to represent Cork. I’d like to wish Cork and my friends the best. Now for golf,” he said on his Twitter.
You’d have to imagine he’d be a serious competitor with the driver in hand.
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