EDUCATION IS THE KEY, INSISTS NASH
Majority of players will be clean
ANTHONY NASH believes it is vital that county players are educated as to what substances are on the banned list, given the far-reaching consequences if they test positive.
‘Everyone goes on about professionalism but we are still amateurs. We get up, go to work and go to training and it’s the same day after day,’ said the Cork goalkeeper.
‘If someone makes a mistake and takes the wrong tablet, a player’s reputation is at stake.
‘If I go out and play badly against Waterford, my family might pick up t he paper and see me being criticised but, on an issue like this, it is a player’s reputation away from the field at stake, and we are all amateurs, and I don’t want to see anything like that happen.
‘The GPA are good at telling us what we can take, our own medical staff are good. I think the biggest thing is to educate players so we know what we can and can’t take.’
On the hurling field, Nash is still unsure how he will approach the first penalty he faces this summer. Hurling penalties have gone to a simple one- on- one with the Cork custodian’s own penalty- taking technique considered to be the reason behind the rule-change.
‘We don’t know who will take them this year. Hoggie [Patrick Horgan] was taking them last year and took them well. It depends on how fellas feel. The way penalties are now, it is not raw power. Lads will be placing them,’ said Nash, who has only faced one penalty since the rule-change, when Cork played UCC.
‘Some lads have been placing the ball in the corner so, for keepers, you are going to have take a chance and guess which corner. There is going to have to be a change in approach. Gone are the days when goalkeepers can blame the cornerback,’ added Nash with a smile.
The Kanturk native believes the issue won’t truly be put to bed until the new rule is deemed to be a success or failure.
‘It hasn’t been put to bed yet because I am still asked about it, it’s going to follow me around for a while,’ he acknowledged.
‘After this season is done, and we are able to look at the stats and see how many penalties were scored out of those awarded, maybe then it will be deemed a success.
‘It might take a year or two before we know how it is going to turn out. But if it is a success, that will be great. Whatever is better for the game of hurling, I am all for.’
Nash explained that the Cork panel have only met up once since their disappointing display in the League final against Waterford, when they had a brief meeting with management.
‘We had our open night the Tuesday after the game, had a brief meeting with management and addressed a few issues,’ said Nash.
‘But being away with the clubs has been a positive, too, as it gives your mind a chance to rest.’
Since that defeat, the dynamic of their Munster Championship clash with the Déise has changed following the shin fracture suffered by Waterford talisman Pauric Mahony at the weekend. Nash drew a parallel between Mahony’s injury and the injuries suffered by his Cork teammate Christopher Joyce, who is out with a cruciate injury.
‘You’d hate to see a fella ruled out for any length of time but to be ruled out for a season is heartbreaking for himself and his family.
‘I was talking to Joycey about it and the one thing is your whole life changes. You’re going down to training and it’s one- on- one with the physio.
‘He still stays around the panel because he’s a great guy to have around the place.’
However, Nash believes Waterford could use Mahony’s absence as a motivation on June 7.
‘The way you look at it, Waterford will push on. When Paudie O’Sullivan got injured a couple of years ago, it was very hard for us because he was going so well for us but he was in the dressing-room telling us to push on. Joycey was the same and I am sure Pauric will be the same.
‘It gives another guy the chance to express themselves,’ he added.