Aidan Walsh ready for Croke Park return

By Cian O’Connell

Aidan Walsh laughs at the madness of it all. The fact that another trip to Croke Park beckons makes everything worthwhile.

An AIB All-Ireland Club Intermediate Hurling title with Kanturk is part of a glittering career that also afforded distinguished service in both codes to Cork at the highest level. Since transferring to An Ghaeltacht, Walsh has collected Kerry and AIB Munster Club Intermediate crowns.

Sunday’s intriguing All-Ireland decider against Glenullin is the next assignment in an epic sporting tale for Walsh. It is just under 12 months since his switch to An Ghaeltacht was confirmed. “Unbelievable, I was just saying to a few people during the week that if you told me I'd be going back to Croke Park last year, I'd have said not a hope, and if you told me I'd have been playing for a Kerry club, I'd have said that definitely wouldn't be the case,” he chuckles.

“Ah no, it has been brilliant, it has really helped me to transition back down to west Kerry. The community has really got behind us, you'd be walking around the place, people would be wishing you the best of luck and congratulations, all of that. It has been really enjoyable, a great journey. We're just really looking forward to this weekend.”

That willingness to relish a challenge has been part of Walsh’s story. Nonetheless, there was something heroic and glorious about An Ghaeltacht’s Éanna Ó Conchúir nailing a last gasp two pointer against Sallins at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. “It is definitely a message we've put to the group all year, we're never out of a game,” Walsh remarks about An Ghaeltacht’s passion.

“We've that attitude, it really showed there in the last minute or two. It looked as if the game was gone from us, I was unfortunately not on the field at that stage, but to see the fight, the tackling from the lads to get the turnover, to win that free at the end, it was just unreal to see.

“It means so much to the group. Since I've been going back, there has been such talk about 2004 when Caltra beat An Ghaeltacht, and 2017 when they lost to Moy in a semi-final.

“They still talk about it a lot back west, so it is great to see them get the opportunity to write their own bit of history, to get back to Croke Park as a group. We will see what happens at the weekend.”

Eight years ago, Walsh triumphed on this stage with Kanturk. “It is definitely different, for sure,” Walsh responds. “It has been a breath of fresh air really. I put a lot of pressure on myself this year, to try to get up to the level.

“When you go back playing football in Kerry, it is a level. I played dual for the last 20 years with Kanturk, I just wanted to see if I could get back up to the level, playing high intensity football.

"I've enjoyed it very much in that sense, to push myself everyday, I felt like I'd something to prove.

“It has been very enjoyable in that sense, just being able to focus on one has been a huge help for me personally. It is very demanding on the body to try to play both throughout the years.

“Being able to focus on one, give it all to that, to help out in any way possible has been refreshing. It has been very enjoyable. We're just very fortunate to be in the position we're in.”

Inevitably, football peppers the conversations in Kerry. Throughout the decades the Ó Sé’s, Aodán MacGearailt and the accomplished Dara Ó Cinnéide, amongst others, represented the club and region. “You've some great people in the club,” Walsh replies.

“Even our management is all in-house, there is nobody from outside. There is fierce knowledge. Even after games you meet Darragh, Tomás or Marc, you'd meet them, have conversations with them, and everyone is behind the team. Even the support from outside the group has been amazing. The last few days have been unbelievable.

“Everybody is so excited about it, especially with Dingle, just over the road, being in the senior final. There is a great buzz.

“Football in Kerry is at a peak at the moment with the junior, intermediate, and senior all having Kerry clubs. There is a fierce buzz down there, people are all very much looking forward to the next few weeks.”

Turas eile chuig an gCeannáras le teacht.