A hurling legend has hung up his boots today…
Tommy Walsh announced his retirement from inter-county hurling today on the back of Kilkenny’s triumph in this year’s All-Ireland hurling final.
Walsh was a great servant to the county, winning eight All-Ireland medals, picking up nine All-Stars and a Hurler of the Year in 2009 along the way.
He amazingly won All-Stars at corner back, wing back, midfield and wing forward. While Henry Shefflin and the forwards may have won the plaudits many days, there is no doubting he was one of the key players in the Kilkenny side.
He will rightfully be remembered as one of the finest hurlers of his generation and his half back partnership with JJ Delaney was the launch pad for much of Kilkenny’s attacks in their ultimately unsuccessful ‘drive for five’.
While he had some critics and he played on the edge throughout his career, he was simply superb and his toughness on the field earned him a reputation as one of the fiercest players around, who played on the edge and sometimes a little over it.
But here in JOE, we like to think he wouldn’t have been doing his job right if he hadn’t been playing on the edge. Best of luck in retirement Tommy; you will be sorely missed from the game.
Below are eight videos of our favourite wing back Tommy Walsh, doing what Tommy Walsh does best; catching, flaking and scalping like all good number fives should…
His fantastic and game-defining catch against Tipperary in 2011
Video via jryantime’s channel.
Tommy ensuring that none of his opponents will forget him in a hurry
Video via Hurlinggoal’s Channel.
His great opening score in the 2003 All-Ireland Final against Cork
Video via Bryansford Gael.
Tommy not taking a backwards step and getting involved in a schemozzle
Video via Conor Ryan.
His goal against Tipperary in 2003 after a series of rebounds (the goal comes around 1:15 into the video below)
Video via Bryansford Gaels.
He always respected the officials even if they did get caught in the crossfire sometimes
Video via jryantime’s channel.
This piece of play against Limerick in 2005 summed up much of what Tommy Walsh was about
Finally, you know he’s a legend when the team pour to his house to get him out celebrating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVbsS3P8kX4
Video via NewsNewsNews.
