CORK hurling manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy this morning revealed the selectors went with their instincts in selecting Martin Coleman ahead of Anthony Nash for the league final.
With captain and number one Donal Óg Cusack out for the season with an Achilles injury, the management were faced with a “very difficult call” according to JBM. Nash (Kanturk) came on and acquitted himself well in the league semi-final defeat of Tipp, but he misses out against Kilkenny in favour of 2001 All-Ireland minor winner Coleman.
“There’s nothing between them really and it was a very difficult call,” said Barry-Murphy, “so it’s very tough on Anthony. It was instinctive to go with Martin.
“Up until now we never even had to consider it, because Donal Óg was our captain and set to be number one for the summer.”
In championship Nash filled in against Waterford in 2007 when Cusack was suspended, with Coleman coming on against Galway in ‘08 when he was sent off. They’ve had minimal significant game-time since, which means the pressure is on the Ballinhassig stopper.
“Of course there is pressure, but he’s played brilliantly before, and he’d a great game for us against Tipp in the Waterford Crystal final at the start of the season.”
JBM also said leaving out Conor O’Sullivan, Jamie Coughlan and fit-again Cathal Naughton was tricky. Brian Murphy and Conor Lehane come back in at their expense.
“They all still have parts to play. Cathal is very unlucky in particular, he was one of our stand-out players in the regular league, but he can make a huge impact against Kilkenny.”
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