Carey launches defence of ‘targeted’ Cats star Walsh

DJ CAREY yesterday launched an impassioned defence of Kilkenny wing-back Tommy Walsh whose no-nonsense style of play has been questioned by some pundits.

The retired Kilkenny legend and former hurler of the year described the criticism as unjustified and unfair and also claimed that Walsh is being routinely targeted by opponents.

“I know I am not talking on camera,” said Carey holding his hand out in front of his body, “but if a guy puts his hand out there to catch a ball, he deserves a belt.

“And if he gets a belt there,” he continued raising a hand above his head, “that’s fine and no-one says anything.

“If you get a bang up there, no one says anything but if you get a belt down there Tommy Walsh is hammered for it and it is brought up on television. If someone goes in and chops a fellow on the hand that is a totally different story but, if the ball is there, there has to be some way that you can tackle for that ball.”

Carey claimed that was a concerted effort by teams to pinpoint Walsh, by running into him before the first whistle or off the ball.

“That is the way it has been for the last number of years in every game he has played. Tommy is a fantastic hurler. He is 5’7” or 8” and he can catch a ball over anyone’s head. He has beautiful skill, he is as tough as nails. Every game I specifically look at Tommy Walsh to see what is happening and, invariably from the throw-in, someone is tearing into him.”

Carey believes the spotlight has been intensified since Ger Loughnane talked about Kilkenny players living on the edge a few seasons back and that it is also being fuelled by the Leinster county’s run of success.

“What teams are looking at, whether it is individuals or whether it is management or whoever it is, they are looking at this and they are saying ‘rattle Tommy, get stuck into him and you might get him sent-off’. It’s a gameplan to get him sent off, which is something that should not be happening in the game. If he deserves to be sent off, absolutely, send him off and I would have no argument with that.”

The perception that Kilkenny tend to indulge in the ‘physical stuff’ has led many a side to try to fight fire with fire but, as was demonstrated in last year’s All-Ireland final, Brian Cody’s men are well able to handle such an approach.

“If I was trying to take on a member of the Kilkenny team presently, I would not be trying to rile him. Every first ball that has come down between Tommy Walsh and his man, Tommy has won 90 per cent of them.

“I would be inclined to stay as quiet as I can and hurl my own game. If you want a team to be tough, if you want to hurl dirty, you won’t get a better team than Kilkenny. You can hurl, you can act the Mick against them, or you can be very dirty and they will match you in every aspect but they will be better hurlers than you. There is no team being successful doing it so why not try something different.”