Tough decisions to be made.
There are only a handful of athletes who make the transfer from underage talent to the professional ranks.
Then on even more rarer occasions, you get those fine few who have an incredibly tough decision to make.
Which sport should I make a career out of?
That was a decision which Conor Nash had to make last year.
It was announced in November 2016 that he was to sign for Victoria-based professional AFL outfit, Hawthorne FC.
Nash was signed on a two-year contract as an International Category B rookie.
We can't wait to see him in brown & gold! pic.twitter.com/oUpnatrtQ5
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) October 30, 2016
Just before he departed for Australia, Nash helped his club Simonstown Gaels to a maiden Meath SFC title success.
But it’s not just football which helped him hone his skills which could be adapted to the Australian code.
Nash was also an exciting young rugby player.
He was a key player for his club, Navan RFC, while he also represented Leinster and Ireland at underage level.
Nash was offered a place in Leinster’s academy which would have put him on the path to professional rugby but he decided to make the move down under and pursue a sporting career there instead.
Leinster would have obviously been disappointed with the decision but according to a report in The Irish Independent, Leinster are still keen on Nash and they remain in contact with the young star.
“I would have talked quite heavily with him and he just said, ‘It’s Australia, I’ve an opportunity to go,’ and we’re still in contact occasionally,” said Peter Smyth, Leinster Academy manager.
“So, there’s always going to be competition for that great athlete. We’re doing a huge amount, but we’re constantly looking at it.”
With Leinster’s ability to spot young talent, the fact they are still in touch with Nash is good news for the Meath man if he ever decides to take up playing professional rugby.
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