Kerry’s most underrated star Donnchadh Walsh retires at 34

Michael Corry

Breaking news coming out of the Kingdom this morning as Kerry wing forward Donnchadh Walsh has announced his retirement from the inter-county scene.

Playing on a team boasting a host of stars, from Donaghy to Cooper, Galvin to O’ Sé, Walsh was often the link man between Kerry’s steely defence and industrious attack.

Regularly pinpointed as the fittest and hardest working member of the great Kerry team of the noughties, Walsh’s exploits went relatively unnoticed for large parts of his career. However that all changes today with the announcement of his retirement.

Walsh released a statement this morning announcing his retirement at the age of 34.

“For the last 15 years, I have devoted my life to the Kerry senior football team. 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.

“I am retiring from Kerry inter-county football with a lifetime of memories.

“I cherished every second because it’s all I ever wanted to do. But now, it’s time for me to step aside.”

Praise has been flowing in for Walsh from all corners of the Kingdom after a stellar career that seen him win three All-Ireland medals as well as a host of other prizes.

Former Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice also released a statement via the Kerry county board describing Walsh as the Kingdom’s specialist wing forward who can retire with his head held high.

“I would like to congratulate Donnchadh on his retirement this morning. He has given fantastic service to the Kerry jersey and can retire with his head held high. He is a genuine, honest and intelligent person and was a joy to be involved with on and off the field.”

“In my time in charge Donnchadh was our specialist wing forward, always a demanding and dynamic role but in today’s game achieving the balance between working hard for the team while maintaining an offensive threat is a unique skill set.”

He becomes the second Kerry star to retire this month following Kieran Donaghy’s retirement last week. Walsh walks away with an impressive honours list form his time in the famous green and gold.

List of honours:

3 All-Ireland Senior Football Championships

8 Munster Senior Football Championships

2 National Leagues 1 County Senior Football Championship

2 Munster Minor Football Championships

1 Football All-Star (2015)

1 International Rules Series

Kerry minor experience 2001, 2002

Kerry under-21 experience 2003, 2004, 2005

First league game for Kerry vs Dublin 2003

First championship game for Kerry vs Cork 2008

You can read Donnchadh Walsh’s statement in full here.