Walsh set to make return to action for native Carlow

THOMAS WALSH will be the centre of attention in Portlaoise this Sunday when he lines out for Carlow in a championship encounter for the first time since 2006 – and against the county with whom he played for the past three seasons.

Walsh’s transfer to Mick O’Dwyer’s Wicklow in 2007 was accompanied by huge controversy but he returned to his hometown club Fenagh from Bray Emmets earlier this year and was welcomed back into the Carlow fold last month after a vote by panel members.

He will line out at midfield alongside Brendan Murphy, who is making his championship debut nine months after returning to Ireland from Australia, where injuries hampered his attempts to forge a professional career with the Sydney Swans.