‘Those words of encouragement, they go a long way’ – Shane Walsh finds his range

The Kilmacud marksman is one of the most two-footed players in the game.

MAIN MAN: Shane Walsh of Galway after kicking the winning score of the game. Pic: INPHO/James Lawlor

Consider the raw numbers. In his last three games, Shane Walsh has scored 11 points from play having had 16 shots, as well as a few frees. On Saturday night, he was afforded the opportunity to celebrate a particularly sweet one.

The 2022 All-Star booted over a final free to clinch a one-point win for Galway in dramatic circumstances. It was a big comeback from an eight-point half-time lead for Armagh and a pleasing day for Walsh, who was taken off against Derry and Dublin in the previous two games.

“I'm around long enough to know there are good days and bad days,” he said afterwards.

“I still left a few behind me there today. They're great when they go over at the end of the game. In fairness to the lads, they've backed me the last two weeks to take those opportunities.” 

About that. As a tally, it’s decent shooting. Dig deeper and there is a curious pattern. Walsh, one of the most two-footed players in the country, only took one with his left foot for a first half point. He dropped his first chance short. All the while, he knew his team-mates trusted him to keep kicking. He knew because they told him.

“I probably hadn't that (confidence) in the last couple of weeks, but in fairness to the group, we had good conversations last Tuesday week and they were just talking to me about backing myself more.

“You mightn't score every shot but we're backing you to take our shots as well. That stood to me as well in the first half because there were things that didn't go well and shots that did go well. You just have to keep hammering away at it. You can review the game afterwards; let's just focus on the next ball, next ball, next ball, and keep on seeing where you can get the next chance.” 

The reality for Walsh remains. When fully fit, he is indispensable. Having started the season sensationally, a back injury ruled him out of the final league rounds. His return was stalled by a hamstring injury that ultimately ruled him out of the entire Connacht Championship.

Galway need him to be operating at his best. Robert Finnerty has been their most consistent forward from the last 18 months, leading the way as their main scorer and assister. He has had to do so because of Damien Comer and Walsh’s injury troubles.

Finnerty was the first man to embrace Walsh after his winner in Breffni Park. They pressed their foreheads together before maroon jerseys engulfed them both.

It was a callback to the 2024 Connacht final, when Finnerty was in the middle of a celebratory interview with this writer and spotted Walsh walking across the pitch. “This man here, unbelievable,” said Finnerty at the time. Walsh did not start that final but came on and scored three points.

Pádraic Joyce has been at pains to stress they can’t sit and wait every time Walsh or Comer are sidelined and he is right. Every team suffers. They need to believe they can still succeed when they are missing, while recognising what an immense talent they both are when available.

In order to get to where they want to reach, it requires balance and unity. They need each other.

“There are lads there that do different jobs for the team,” said Walsh.

“There are lads that go up and down that field all day, that I don't be doing. Whereas I'm there to help out in getting scores for the team. So, when the lads give you that backing, and Pádraic gives you that backing, it is huge.

“And just the reminders because probably in the last couple of weeks we were in our shell a bit with the Dublin and Derry games. After that we said our championship is on the line.

“Everyone, to a man, was encouraging each other to give this a right go and it stands to you. At the end of the day, we're training day in, day out with each other; we're doing recovery sessions, going for coffees together, all that.

“When those lads are saying it to you, and even though you might say it is something simple, but those words of encouragement, they go a long way in a group.”