Pocket-rocket Walsh happy to play in any position for Kilkenny

KILKENNY’S Tommy Walsh insisted yesterday that the All-Ireland champions have nothing to prove as they prepare for an eagerly awaited semi-final against Munster kingpins Waterford on Sunday.

Chasing what would be an historic third title in a row, Brian Cody's team have been, in no particular order, mediocre, workmanlike and electric at different stages this season.

Having lost to Wexford in the Leinster semi-final they went through the motions against Dublin in their first qualifier before destroying Galway with some superb hurling in Thurles.

Two gritty displays against Clare followed, but the young utility player plying his trade in the half-back line doesn't feel the county need to prove the doubters wrong at the weekend.

"No, I don't think so. We've played in big games in the past two years. We've won the All-Ireland the last two years and you don't do that without playing big games. We're just going to go out and give it our best shot on Sunday."

The two teams will arrive at Croke Park with widely different run-ups. While Kilkenny have been fighting tooth and nail to get this far, Justin McCarthy's side have been lying idle competitively at least.

Another physical encounter like the replay in Semple Stadium would be asking a lot of the Leinster side, but does Walsh envisage a bruising game of hurling or a feast for the purists?

"I'm not sure really. Every game you go out for is physical. It's just a case of getting on with it. At the start of the week you'd be tired, but by the time Sunday comes we'll have been training with Mick O'Flynn and he has us ready.

"We'll just do our stretching and a bit of ball work and relax for the next day. The hard work is done, especially when you've only a week before a match. All you're going to do is warm down and keep the body in tow.

"I'm not expecting much difference at all. Waterford will give us a good, hard game. They'll give it their all and we'll give it our all and hopefully the result will go our way."

Whatever the outcome, Walsh will be expected to play a significant role again. Last year he starred for the county further upfield. He started this championship campaign as a half-forward against Wexford where he was one of the few Kilkenny players to emerge with reputation enhanced.

Since then, Cody and his selectors have moved this most natural of hurlers to the defence and the results have been as good. Unfortunate to be sent off in the first game against Clare, he was inspirational in the replay.

"Playing there in training you just get used to it. You get on with it. I played in defence all the time at underage but I've no preference at all. With Kilkenny you're just glad to be playing. Competition is so high and it always will be.

"So many people want to get that jersey. There's so much pride in it so everyone who plays is just happy to be playing."