A fitting gesture to a true legend of the county.
Anybody who knows anything about football never undervalued Kerry’s most reliable solider Donnchadh Walsh. He was often dubbed an underrated player, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t appreciated.
Because when everyone is calling a player underrated, it loses its relevance anyway and the whole of Ireland taught this man was hard-done-by by others.
Whenever Kerry were in need, like a faithful Guide Dog, that man Walsh would lead the way. He’d score goals, he’d kick points, he’d transport himself to his own full back line and then he’d make the interception that would set up one of those lightning Kerry attacks. And then he’d probably get on the end of that attack too.
An unsung hero maybe, but a hero all the same.
He wasn’t as heralded as your Donaghys, Coopers or O’Sullivans but that was only because he wasn’t as spectacular as them. He may not have been spectacular, but the blonde bomber was a constant, he was a leader and he became a legend of Kerry.
During the week, the Cromane hero announced his retirement from inter-county football after 15 brilliant years in the green and gold.
“The greatest honour I ever could’ve imagined has been pulling on the green and gold jersey but, as with all good things, it must come to an end. That end has arrived,” he said.
The end of his Kerry journey, but his Cromane journey stays going, and he was out with his local club on Saturday afternoon.
The team he was up against, Miltown-Castlemaine clapped him onto the field before the game. That’s how much this fella was worth.
Before today's game in Cromane the Milltown-Castlemaine team formed a guard of honour for Donnchadh Walsh, who had announced his retirement from inter-county football yesterday. A lovely gesture, it's what the GAA is all about. 👏🏻 @milltown_castle pic.twitter.com/MwTIxMJSF8
— Cromane GAA Club (@RealtNaMaraCLG) September 22, 2018
There were football games all over the country on Saturday, here’s our pick of the action.
Mayo SFC
Four points from Conor O’Shea and three from Robbie Hennelly were the difference as Breaffy edged James Horan’ up and coming Westport by one point on a 0-11 0-10 scoreline in MacHale Park.
Meanwhile defending champions Castlebar Mitchels defeated Claremorris with eight to spare while Ballintubber took out Moy Davitts.
In the other quarter final on Sunday, two goals from Darragh Kelly and one from Cian Hanley saw Ballaghadereen over Garrymore on a 3-11 to 0-18 scoreline.
Donegal SFC
Naomh Conaill recovered from their loss to Gaoth Dobhair earlier in the competition when they knocked St Eunan’s out of the Donegal SFC on Sunday to book their place in the quarter finals.
Meanwhile, Killybegs defeated Milford 1-10 to 0-10 while Four Masters defeated Termon and Kilcar beat Sean Mac Cumhails by five. St Michael’s defeated Malin in the other game in Donegal.
Armagh SFC
Crossmaglen gave Armagh Harps a ten point clipping in their quarter final meeting, the black and ambers scoring 2-22 in an explosive outing in the Orchard county. Meanwhile Ballymacnab defeated Killeavy in the quarter final on Friday.
Other games take place all over the country on Sunday and those results will follow soon…
