Nash welcomed at Navan RFC
Conor Nash told JIMMY GEOGHEGAN that he doesn't regret for a moment that he took up an offer to play Australian Rules football instead of carving out a career in Gaelic football or rugby back in his native land.
Nash was an invited guest of Navan RFC at the pre-match dinner at Balreask Old on Saturday before the home team took on Blackrock in an AIL Div 2A clash - and was sought after by youngsters seeking his autograph.
After the dinner Nash was presented with a Navan rugby jersey by club president David Cullivan to mark the fact that the 20-year-old played for the Balreask Old outfit at under-age level.
Nash looked odds-on to be fast-tracked into the Leinster rugby professional set up however he opted to join top AFL side Hawthorn Hawks, based in Melbourne. He joined them in 2016 as a 'category B rookie' and just last August signed a new two-year deal.
“It still sits very well with me the fact that I opted to take up the offer made by Hawthorn, it's gone very well so far and I can't say I regret the decision in any shape or form,” he said.
“I made the decision and it could have gone either way, but I'm loving the life back out in Australia.”
This is the close season for Australian football and Nash is using the break to get back to Navan and see family and friends.
He also intends to to travel around Europe with two other young Hawthorn footballers who have accompanied him to Ireland.
The former Simonstown Gaels midfielder and Meath minor made his debut for Hawthorn against Geelong in the MCG in August.
“I've played the last five games of the season, two finals, semi-finals as well, it was pretty hectic towards the end of the season unfortunately we didn't get the job done but to play in front of crowds of 95,000 is something else.
“I was certainly thrown into the pot pretty quickly, but it's a great experience and I'm looking forward to next season,” he added.
Making the breakthrough in the AFL presents many mental and physical challenges with Nash admitting that, like football back in Ireland, the Australian version contains some verbal 'sledging.'
“There's a fair bit all right and we get some because we're Irish, you get the stock standard stuff. You would get jibes like 'go back home and play your own football' but once the game is over you're all best mates, it's all forgotten, what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.”
Having experienced playing in front of huge crowds Nash is looking forward to the new season.
He returns to Australia for pre-season training in early November.
“We go back in on the 19th November for screening and stuff like that then we off to do this trek, the Kokoda Trail across parts of Papua New Guinea, all the young boys in the club do it.
“You have to do it once at least, the coach brings us on this 90km trail, it's pretty tough going, but it helps to keep your feet on the ground in every way.
“It's where the Aussies fought the Japanese during the Second World War, it's just to remind us what young Aussies did back then.
“Then we have a few training camps up north in Queensland and matches start again next April so it's a long pre-season.
“I'm looking forward to the new season, but it's also great to be back home. There's no place like home,” he concluded.