JBM: Coleman choice was instinctive

May 04, 2012

Cork hurling manager Jimmy Barry Murphy
Jimmy Barry-Murphy has revealed why he chose Martin Coleman to play in goal on Sunday.

The Cork manager opted to start the Ballinhassig clubman ahead of Anthony Nash for the NHL final against Kilkenny and he explained to The Evening Echo:

"There's nothing between them really and it was a very difficult call, 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 ÓOg was our captain and set to be Number One for the summer.

"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."

The manager added that leaving out Conor O'Sullivan, Jamie Coughlan and Cathal Naughton was equally difficult:

"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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