It begins with the club and ends with the club
Tullaroan won the last of their 20 Kilkenny senior hurling titles in 1994, the most of any club in the county. Tommy Walsh was only eleven and even at that age was being spoken of as one of the brightest hurling talents in the county.
His incredible skill level and never-say-die attitude was clear even then, and supporters were sure that title number 21 wouldn’t be too far away as the young man developed throughout his teenage years, leading various sides at minor and U21 level to club glory.
But Tommy, with that infamous red-helmet, and taller than you may think, could never bridge the gap at senior.
Unfortunately for Walsh and Tullaroan they have yet to add to their Kilkenny senior hurling roll of honour since that day in 1994, and now must prepare for 2015 down at intermediate level. In that relegation final Walsh came face to face with another Kilkenny hero who missed out on club success in JJ Delaney, as the teak-tough full back led his Fenians side to a 3-10 to 0-8 win.
Does the fact that he has never even made it to a county final with his club, been within touching distance of the trophy, or walking behind the parade in Nowlan Park make the feeling of not winning a senior more or less heartbreaking?
At least if you are close then you may have a chance. Luck may shine on you but then perhaps to lose a final is the worse feeling of all – and to be spared that one chance and to miss out could be a blessing.
Kilkenny still use the system of letting the county champions pick the following season’s captain and so Brian Cody was never in the situation where he could get the wing-back to lead his charges out onto the field in summertime.
But for Cody and many Kilkenny fans he was the captain and de facto leader on the good and bad days. In 2010, despite the perfect storm by Tipperary, he was still in the thick of the action and on his way to another All-Star.
Perhaps his versatility has hampered him, being able to play in defence, midfield and attack. Unlike football, where the pace of play is slower which can allow a full-back to get up in support of his attack, or a forward to roam out to midfield for possession, Walsh could only do so much. Hurling is very much about personal responsibility. If his brother Paraic had come along sooner perhaps the two Walshs could have complimented the talent around them to get to a county decider.
Walsh’s club career is not over by a long shot and it may not be too late for him to feature in an All-Ireland club series. He will only turn 33 in May and without having to be put through the gruelling Nowlan Park sessions under Cody anymore, he should be a fresh presence for Tullaroan come the beginning of championship action.
There is no doubt as to Kilkenny’s incredible record at intermediate in the club series and the west Kilkenny side should have more than a chance of regaining their senior status at the first attempt. If they do so it may finally allow Walsh the chance to experience life in the AIB-GAA All-Ireland Club championship and walk up the steps of Nowlan Park on county final day.
Perhaps Kilkenny’s loss will be Tullaroan’s gain.
