Walter Walsh impact not enough as London and New York to meet in All-Ireland JFC decider

Walter Walsh of Kilkenny in action against London players, from left, Matthew Tierney, Eoghan Reilly, Patrick O'Connor and Ryan McCready. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Former Kilkenny All-Star Walter Walsh will have to wait another season at least for an All-Ireland football medal.

Not for the first time this year, the three-time MacCarthy Cup winner switched codes and had a big impact as the Cats came up just shy of London in their All-Ireland JFC semi-final.

Walsh, who retired from inter-county hurling after the 2024 season, played junior rugby for Leinster earlier this year and showed his football skills with two points this time.

The 2012 All-Ireland hurling final replay hero created several scores also and had two goal chances, though was ultimately powerless to prevent London winning by 1-17 to 0-17 in Abbottstown.

Noel Maher's four two-point scores for London were crucial as the side managed by former London senior boss Paul Coggins advanced to Sunday's final against holders New York.

Kilkenny led by 0-8 to 0-4 after a bright start, with Walsh winning the throw-in and immediately getting his county on the attack.

And while London fought back to level it up at 0-8 apiece at the break, Kilkenny took off again in the third quarter with another Walsh score helping them to lead by 0-12 to 0-8.

They ran out of steam in the sweltering heat though and London took advantage in the final 20 minutes, reeling off four two-pointers and a goal from Ali Carney.

Maher boomed over three of those late two-pointers while Carney's goal arrived in the 43rd minute for the All-Britain champions.

Former Donegal senior and 2010 All-Ireland U-21 finalist James Carroll finished with 0-8 for Kilkenny. His last score left three in it and Kilkenny chased a goal after the siren sounded but couldn't breach London's green wall.

It'll be a repeat of last year's final which New York won to claim back-to-back titles.

Like London, Mick Healy's New York trailed by four points initially before coming roaring back with a strong second-half display to win their semi-final 2-12 to 1-11.

Jack Gillespie was terrific for Warwickshire in the first-half and the number eight scored three points as the side beaten by London in last month's All-Britain final led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time.

Warwickshire twice got the margin back out to four points in the third quarter before wilting noticeably in the heat.

New York outscored Warwickshire by 2-7 to 1-2 in the closing 20 minutes with Jack Healy grabbing their first goal.

Healy finished with 1-2 and took his goal well, capitalising on a strong press on Warwickshire's kick-out.

Full-forward Brian Coughlan added a point for New York and finished with 0-5.

New York, who beat USGAA after extra-time at the quarter-final stage, got a strong kick from subs and Colm Shalvey in particular.

Shalvey struck their second goal in the 51st minute to seal it, having earlier won a free that was converted.