Pádraig Walsh calls time on Kilkenny career 

TOUGH COMPETITOR: Kilkenny's Padraig Walsh is tackled by Niall O'Connor of Antrim. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Kilkenny hurler Pádraig Walsh has called time on his inter-county career.

Tullaroan clubman Walsh - a senior Kilkenny hurler for over a decade - has decided to step away from the inter-county scene having initially made his debut for the Cats over 11 years ago.

Kilkenny GAA have thanked Walsh for the service he has given to the Kilkenny jersey since his 2012 debut.

"Pádraig Walsh is retiring from inter-county hurling following a stellar career in the black and amber," a statement read. 

"A pillar of the Kilkenny defence, Pádraig has won seven Leinster titles and two All-Ireland’s, along with many other accolades, over the course of his career with Kilkenny.

"On behalf of Derek Lyng & his management team and Kilkenny County Board, we wish Pádraig the very best in his retirement from inter-county hurling. Padraig’s achievements and service to Kilkenny GAA speak for themselves."

31-year-old Walsh, younger brother of fellow Kilkenny legend Tommy, bows out with two All-Ireland medals to his name, as well as a pair of All-Star awards.

“It’s just gone to that stage now. I’ve been there a good few years now and I’m starting to feel it in the body, just finding it harder to recover," Walsh told the Irish Independent. 

"I just want to give a few good years to the club, so I said I’d call it a day. There was no big reason or anything.

“I kind of knew at the start of this year, this was going to be my last year, no matter what.”

All-Ireland wins in 2014 - two years after his debut in black and amber - and 2015 will sit among Walsh's most treasured days. 

2014 saw Walsh break into Brian Cody's starting championship 15, and while he was dropped for the drawn final clash against Tipperary, he was recalled for the victorious replay.

Walsh was again a key part of the defensive rearguard as Kilkenny successfully retained the All-Ireland in 2015, with Cody's men overcoming the Galway challenge that stood before them to secure back-to-back Liam McCarthy Cups. 

Although able to perform effectively in a number of positions across the pitch, Walsh won his All-Stars in 2016 (wing-back) and 2019 (centre-back) as part of the half-back line.