'One of my best sporting days' - Veteran Walsh itching for Croker occasion with O'Rahillys 

In the last 13 months alone, Crokes have played there five times, most recently beating The Downs in the Leinster final, though Tommy Walsh is hopeful that the Munster champions can flip that apparent advantage by approaching the game with a positive mindset.

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: Tommy Walsh of Kerins O'Rahillys, Kerry, pictured ahead of the AIB GAA All-Ireland Football Senior Club Championship Semi-Final, which takes place this Sunday, January 8th at Croke Park at 1.30pm. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

The last kick of Tommy Walsh's Kerry career came at Croke Park back in 2021, a point attempt in the dying moments of extra-time which he dragged wide against Tyrone. A score would have levelled that epic All-Ireland semi-final encounter but the Red Hands escaped to victory, went on to claim the Sam Maguire Cup and, a couple of months later, Walsh retired.

Now 34 - he will turn 35 next month - it is perhaps with that miss in mind that he shows such enthusiasm for Sunday's return to Croke Park for the AIB All-Ireland club semi-finals where an old wrong can be put right.