Rested Shane Walsh ready for road with Galway

The Kilmacud Crokes marksman has taken advantage of some rare downtime.

KICKING ON: Shane Walsh of Galway is looking forward to getting back to action in the league. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

On a nasty night in Newbridge on Saturday, Shane Walsh didn’t have to wear shorts. He wasn’t togging out but there he was in the small pants.

His choice of attire for a challenge game in such wintry conditions would indicate that after a two-month break from football, the longest he has had since 2021, he’s itching to get going again.

Between Galway and Kilmacud Crokes, the 31-year-old’s schedule these past three seasons has been hectic. From time to time, his body has broken down but Crokes’ Dublin SFC final defeat to Cuala in October has afforded him the chance to build it back up.

“(I needed) a bit of down-time to strengthen the body again because you are going from game on game and it’s every two weeks for the last couple of years and you don't get the time to strengthen your body in the off-season,” said Walsh.

“I really haven't had an off-season or done a pre-season so that would be the big thing for me. I had to get my body stronger again. It was strong probably two years ago and it lasted me a year and all of a sudden things started happening that weren't happening (before). All the time, you were putting a bandage over an open wound when it needed something bigger.

“But the last couple of weeks with the medical team and (strength and conditioning coaches) Jonathan [Harris-Wright] and Cian [Breathnach McGinn] they have done great work and it was brilliant for me to have that time to do it because I haven't had that this last while.” 

Walsh intends to be available for selection against Armagh on January 25 for the Division 1, Round 1 game under lights in Salthill. With a “bank of work” behind him, he is more of a fixture at training.

“I’m nearly there, which is great seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in that sense. It's great to be back I took part in training last week and it was brilliant to be back with the lads again because it feels weird when you are doing your running and your rehab. It can be a lonely place and there are lads there that know more about it than me but it’s great to be back and be looking forward again.” Walsh is excited to sample the new rules. 

“I think there is a lot more space inside because everyone is watching for the two points because there isn't much difference at the moment between the two and the threes and twos will probably come by a bit handier and if teams push out, it could open the chance for goals as well.” The more penal dissent rule intrigues Walsh “because there has been a lot of game management going on the last seven, eight, nine years. Game management has been huge, as they like to call it.

“That's probably the big one from a referee’s point of view and 50 metres is a harsh (punishment) but I think it is great. Even the talking back to a referee and only having one person (permitted to seek clarification from the referee), I think that's the way the game needs to go because referees get an awful time of it in games.

“At the same time, one mistake from a ref is worse than 20 mistakes from a player because all they do is remember what the referee did, so I think that is great to control that element and have respect for the officials as well because I think that is something that the game needed for a long time.”