Walsh focuses on club commitment
As captain Michael Murphy faces the prospect of lining out for Ireland and Glenswilly the weekend after next, Kanturk’s Walsh may also find himself having to split his commitments should the club beat Fermoy in Saturday’s intermediate hurling semi-final.
The winners face Eire Óg on October 27, less than 24 hours after the second test in Croke Park. The fixture will definitely pose a problem for Éire Óg’s Ciaran Sheehan, who is also in Paul Earley’s squad.
For now, Walsh isn’t willing to look that far ahead as he focuses on the Fermoy game.
“There could be a clash but we’ll worry about that if it happens. We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves. It was a good win for us last week and things haven’t been going too bad at all.
“I’m lucky enough that the club have been very accommodating. They haven’t put too much pressure on men and Paul Earley has been very reasonable as well. He wouldn’t expect me to train too close to championship matches.
“I’ve been fortunate from both sides and I’ve stayed injury free so far, which has helped as much.”
Walsh, whose fourth round intermediate football game against Glanmire is provisionally fixed for October 26, the same day as the second test, was notified by Ireland manager Earley about his vice-captaincy on Monday.
“He rang me and I was expecting it to be a phone call about whether or not I made the squad but he offered me the position there and then.
“I didn’t see it coming. I’m younger than a good few of the fellas on the panel and it was a shock but I wasn’t going to turn it down.”
Walsh is enthused by how training has come together since players from Dublin and Mayo have joined the panel.
“There are a great group of lads there and the likes of Nicholas Walsh, Tony Scullion, Seamus McCarthy and Ja Fallon have all been great.
“The first couple of weeks was just getting to know you stuff but things have come together in recent weeks with the Dublin and Mayo lads coming in.
“These opportunities (of representing your country) don’t come around too often and it’s a great experience meeting and playing alongside fellas from all over the country.”
Walsh has taken a year out from university this year and is concentrating on his hurley-making while exploring a few other work opportunities.
Meanwhile, Murphy’s Donegal team-mate Karl Lacey yesterday hit out on Twitter at the Donegal County Board for not accommodating Murphy and rescheduling the county final with Killybegs from Sunday week, less than 24 hours after Ireland’s first test against the all-aboriginal Australians in Cavan.
Lacey, who played in the last series in Australia alongside Murphy, posted: “Can’t believe a player has to choose between his club & country, give the man a chance that has pride in any jersey he wears. As an amateur you should be able to maximise any opportunities you get.”
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