Barry Walsh eager to impress for club and county
Pictured is Cork Under-20 hurler and Fulfil ambassador, Barry Walsh, at the announcement that Fulfil will become the new title sponsor of the GAA Hurling Under-20 All-Ireland Championship in a three-year deal. Through this partnership, Fulfil will be “Supporting Ireland's Game”, to foster emerging hurling talent and active lifestyles across the nation. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Barry Walsh is hopeful that an impressive stint in pre-season might earn him a place in Ben O’Connor’s Cork senior hurling panel.
Promising Killeagh attacker Walsh, who is still eligible for the U20 grade in 2026, will train with Cork shortly and is eager to make an impact.
Speaking at the launch of the Fulfil All-Ireland U20 Championship sponsorship launch, Walsh acknowledges that the upcoming weeks will be a significant chance for him to shine. “Obviously, I'd love to play a game with the Cork seniors, but I've to take each step at a time,” Walsh says.
“When it comes to pre-season training, I've to look forward to just training with the lads. It is a big enough opportunity for me, I don't want to race away with me thoughts, thinking I can't wait to play this league game or that league game. I haven't necessarily made the panel yet; my plan now is to look forward to each session we have before that.
“Just getting the call, knowing you're being watched, it gives you that bit of a push to perform better, to train better, to have a better all-round lifestyle around the GAA. It is a good feeling, alright.
“It is a great place to be for myself. I'm enjoying the build up to it, I'm excited, but kinda nervous at the same time.”
During his first year in the U20 ranks, Walsh featured under O’Connor in 2024. “I've played under him, he is a great coach, to be fair, a great manager,” Walsh says. “I'm looking forward to it again.”
The highly regarded Noel Furlong is in charge of the Cork U20s with Donal Óg Cusack involved in the set-up also. “This will be my last year of it, hopefully it will be enjoyable again,” Walsh says.
“Noel Furlong is over us and Donal Óg, they're very good to have as managers and coaches. Fellas you look up to, like Donal Óg, you'd be hearing stuff about him, it is good to have that.”
Walsh recently started as a first-year student in MTU Cork and is relishing getting ready for the sporting challenges ahead. “I had my time off with the unlucky year with Killeagh,” Walsh reflects.
Barry Walsh in Munster U20 action for Cork against Tipperary earlier this year. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
“We're going back into pre-season and I've started up college hurling in first year, with the Freshers. So, that is all going well. I've had my break already, gradually going back into it. I'm in MTU, studying recreational leisure, it is a way to get into teaching. That is the plan.
“There are boys from all over the place playing with us, it is a bonus that we've a strong enough team. It makes it a bit more enjoyable. Plus, there is lads I already knew on the squad, so we can all work well together. It is great craic.”
Something is stirring in Killeagh again, too, with Walsh adamant that the future is bright for the club. “There is a bit of pride, alright, in Killeagh,” Walsh says. “Everyone is friendly enough, we get on with each other. It is a great spot.
“In the last couple of years, all the boys that would be on the older side in the senior team, they would've played in the top division when they were minor. It has stayed that way for a good few years from that age group.
“It was the same with my age, we stayed at a good level underage. We'd good coaching with big enough numbers, to be fair. With the seniors you're hoping it will all come together and that we can get something out of it.”
All-Ireland winners Mark Landers and Joe Deane were influential figures for Killeagh and Cork. “They've been involved in teams, sometimes they were involved in my teams, but usually they're with the younger teams,” Walsh says.
“You'd still look up to them, when you see them down the pitch, when you're pucking by yourself, you'd nearly be trying to do something to impress them. It is great to have them involved in club.”
A new crop of hurlers are emerging from the next generation. “I've played with Cormac Deane with the club, he is some hurler, a very intelligent hurler,” Walsh adds. “He is always in the right spot, he knows what to do with the ball. He is a class player.”
Walsh is firmly focused on trying to develop further with at club, college, and inter-county level. Earning a place in Ben O’Connor’s panel is an ambition. “It is definitely exciting to be trying to go into such a big team,” Walsh says.
“They've been in the last two All-Ireland finals, they're Munster champions, it will be very exciting to see what they're like training.”
