By John Harrington

Anthony Nash says is was his own decision to make himself available for the Cork hurling team’s Allianz League opener against Kilkenny on the same day he helped his club Kanturk to victory in the AIB All-Ireland Club Intermediate semi-final last Saturday. 

Cork manager John Meyler came under fire from some quarters after naming Nash in his team, though in the end he opted to start Patrick Collins instead with Nash held in reserve.

Nash had travelled down to Cork from Newbridge after Kanturk's win over Middletown, and has no misgivings about making himself available for both games.

“I suppose a lot was written and spoken about it. I put myself forward to be selected. That was as simple as that,” said Nash today.

“I heard stories of people giving out about John (Meyler) forcing me to do this. John didn't, it was actually the opposite.

“Like Páirc Uí Chaoimh under lights, the first Cork hurling match, I was mad to play. I'd spoken to the management and laid out my plans and just said it to them.

“It was John and the management who said to be fair to me and to Kanturk to go and concentrate on them. They let me know good and early.

“I was disappointed initially because it was just the whole occasion and that but look I fully respected their decision and fortunate enough we got the win anyway.

“It was just the whole occasion but it was completely and entirely I put myself forward to be selected initially and I suppose just maybe a bit of common sense from the management and they had a chat with me about it.

“But it was nothing to do with being forced to come down. John would never nor have any other manager ever forced me to do anything under that.

"Look it's Páirc Uí Chaoimh under lights, Kilkenny, home game, double-header, the crowd was there, packed, lovely night for hurling, course you want to be involved.”