Walsh backs Kerry to bounce back in 2012

He insisted: “Kerry will bounce back. That’s a definite. People are always writing this Kerry team off but they keep coming back, year after year.

“After 2008 Kerry were written off but we came back to win the All-Ireland. It was the same in 05, and even last year there were a lot of people saying that this Kerry team was finished, they were gone after losing to Down in the All-Ireland quarter-final but they came within minutes ofwinning another All-Ireland this year. They are an incredible team. When you have the likes of Gooch, Kieran Donaghy and Marc Ó Sé, they come back every year hungry for more, and they are as skilful as ever. They will be right in the thick of it again next year, one of the teams to beat.”

Walsh, who begins a third season with AFL club St Kilda in 2012, admits it was tough to watch on from the stands as Kerry surrendered a four-point lead to Dublin in the closing stages of the All-Ireland decider.

“It was such a close game and there was always going to be one player or one little moment that would decide it. And that’s just what happened. It came down to the last few minutes and it was Dublin that took the chance when it came.”

Back playing club football with Kerins O’Rahillys — he made an impressive return in Sunday’s Kerry SFL win over An Ghaeltacht on Sunday — Walsh is also looking forward to next month’s International Rules series in Australia.

“I think it’s a great idea. It nearly filled Croke Park in the second game last year so you can’t say that there is no interest in it. It’s a great opportunity for Irish players to represent their country, and the same goes for the lads from Australia. It’s something different at the end of every season. It does have its detractors but I think it’s a great idea and I hope they persist with it. I’m looking forward to it. It will be good to play against some of the lads I know from Australia.”

The first International Rules game will be held on October 28 with the second game on November 4. Walsh backs Kerry to bounce back in 2012

By Kieran McCarthy

DEFEATED All-Ireland finalists Kerry will silence their critics next season, according to former Kerry star Tommy Walsh.

He insisted: “Kerry will bounce back. That’s a definite. People are always writing this Kerry team off but they keep coming back, year after year.

“After 2008 Kerry were written off but we came back to win the All-Ireland. It was the same in 05, and even last year there were a lot of people saying that this Kerry team was finished, they were gone after losing to Down in the All-Ireland quarter-final but they came within minutes ofwinning another All-Ireland this year. They are an incredible team. When you have the likes of Gooch, Kieran Donaghy and Marc Ó Sé, they come back every year hungry for more, and they are as skilful as ever. They will be right in the thick of it again next year, one of the teams to beat.”

Walsh, who begins a third season with AFL club St Kilda in 2012, admits it was tough to watch on from the stands as Kerry surrendered a four-point lead to Dublin in the closing stages of the All-Ireland decider.

“It was such a close game and there was always going to be one player or one little moment that would decide it. And that’s just what happened. It came down to the last few minutes and it was Dublin that took the chance when it came.”

Back playing club football with Kerins O’Rahillys — he made an impressive return in Sunday’s Kerry SFL win over An Ghaeltacht on Sunday — Walsh is also looking forward to next month’s International Rules series in Australia.

“I think it’s a great idea. It nearly filled Croke Park in the second game last year so you can’t say that there is no interest in it. It’s a great opportunity for Irish players to represent their country, and the same goes for the lads from Australia. It’s something different at the end of every season. It does have its detractors but I think it’s a great idea and I hope they persist with it. I’m looking forward to it. It will be good to play against some of the lads I know from Australia.”

The first International Rules game will be held on October 28 with the second game on November 4.