Kerry’s Walsh to avoid commute by training with Déise footballers

Kerry forward Donnchadh Walsh will be training with Waterford’s senior footballers for the duration of the Allianz Football League.

Walsh is a physiotherapist student who has taken up a placement in a local hospital and he began training with the Déise at Carriganore last week. The Kildare connection between the two camps proved the vital link in establishing the arrangement, with Kerry coach and Kildare native Cian O’Neill having contacted Waterford manager Niall Carew and his coach, ex-Lilywhite star Ronan Sweeney, about their willingness to accommodate the 29-year-old.

It is also an indication of the significant progress made by Waterford in recent years that Kingdom boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice would be happy to have one of his key men prepare with them.

“We get on well with the Kerry management so when they asked us if Donnchadh could train with us rather than drive a six-hour round trip a couple of times a week, we were happy to help out,” explained Carew yesterday. “It will be good for everyone involved.”

Walsh has become a regular in the Kerry team in recent seasons after breaking through and winning an All-Ireland in 2009. He earned a reputation for his tremendous work-rate but has developed his game to provide more of a scoring threat.

The Cromane clubman was outstanding in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Dublin, scoring an excellent goal, and with the loss of Colm Cooper through injury and Paul Galvin and Tomás Ó Sé to retirement, will be expected to provide even more leadership to Kerry this year.