FORMER CLARE HURLER, Diarmuid Nash, recorded another career-best performance this weekend when he reached the final of the WPH Race4Eight Pro Stop in Houston, Texas.
The Scariff left-hander, fresh from winning the first Irish tournament of the season in Mayo recently, dismantled San Antonio’s Alan Garner – a powerhouse former world finalist – in his opener before routing Wisconsin’s Anthony Selestow.
Trailing against former American no 1 Emmett Peixoto, Nash reeled off 13 successive points to defeat the Californian and book his place in the final, where he was beaten 21-15, 21-13 by the top player in America at present, Luis Moreno.
Watch highlights here:
Vimeo: World Players of Handball (WPH)
Fly kill-specialist Nash is hugely popular with American fans, with over 10,000 tuning in on a live webcast of the event.
With 10-time Irish senior champ Paul Brady not entering the singles race this season, the way seems clear for a new king to emerge. On current form, Nash appears to be the man, although Robbie McCarthy and Martin Mulkerrins – who both failed to hit top form in Houston – will also be in contention, as will former finalist Charly Shanks, former champion Eoin Kennedy and rising Cork star Killian Carroll.
Nash won a Fitzgibbon Cup medal with NUI Galway in 2010 alongside the likes of All-Ireland winners John Conlon and Domhnall O’Donovan.
