'Soul-searching' needed in Kilkenny after heavy defeat, says Walsh

Waterford and Tipperary's Division 1A clash, postponed due to the death of Michael Kiely's father Benny, has been rescheduled for Sunday.

Kilkenny suffered an 18-point defeat to Galway on Saturday. Pic: ©INPHO/John McVitty

Former Kilkenny goalkeeper Michael Walsh believes a more ruthless team than Galway could have beaten the county by more than 18 points in Pearse Stadium on Saturday.

Walsh was left “stunned” by the Cats’ performance in Salthill and felt the previous weekend’s defeat to Cork “where they had to work awful hard to keep that match to a three-point game” had taken a lot out of the team.

He acknowledged “the huge amount of sickness within the set-up” as well but found the result “incredible” as he considers Galway remain a work in progress.

Speaking on the KCLR Hurling Podcast, Walsh said: “I feel a more ruthless team could have even done more damage because there were so many goal chances on. The amount of times there was one forward and one back left in the Kilkenny half of the field.

“Now they were very comfortable taking their points but they opened up Kilkenny so easily as regards points and it could have led to further trouble. A lot of soul-searching has to be done.” 

Meanwhile, the Waterford-Tipperary Division 1A, Round 6 clash has been rescheduled for Azzurri Walsh Park this Sunday. The game, which was postponed following the death of Michael Kiely’s father Benny, will throw in at 2pm.

A win for Waterford in what is their final round game will put the pressure on Tipperary to beat Kilkenny in their last match of the campaign in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday week. A home defeat and The Déise will be relegated.

Elsewhere, Roscommon’s David Murray has retired from inter-county football, the county board have confirmed. The Pádraig Pearses man made 125 senior appearances for his county between league and championship having made his debut in 2015.

Murray claimed two Connacht SFC title in 2017 and ’19 and was part of all four of Roscommon’s Division 2 winning set-ups between 2015 and ’22. He also claimed a Division 3 medal in 2014.

Murray’s last game for the county was the All-Ireland SFC Group 2, Round 3 defeat to Cork last June. Earlier this year, manager Mark Dowd said the defender was taking time out to consider his future.

Reacting to Murray’s decision, Roscommon chairman Tom Murray said: “On behalf of Roscommon GAA, we sincerely thank David for his exceptional commitment to football in Roscommon on the field as a player and off it as one of our greatest ambassadors.

“While David’s inter-county career has now come to an end, his legacy will remain and I know that he will continue to play an important role within his club and community.”