All-Ireland winner set to make competitive debut for Leinster rugby this weekend
When Walter Walsh closed the door on his Kilkenny hurling career, he didn't expect the Leinster rugby one to swing open.
But the three-time All-Ireland winner is in line to make his debut for the province this weekend as their junior side start their interprovincial campaign against holders Ulster.
After announcing his retirement from inter-county hurling last November, Walsh resumed his rugby career following a 15-year hiatus as he linked up with New Ross RFC again. The club's first team operates in Division 2A of the Leinster Junior League, three flights down from the AIL.
The Leinster junior selectors soon came calling and he's already played a couple of friendly games against the Defence Forces and Suttonians, with outside centre his preferred position.
'It's something completely different,' he says. 'I got to pull on a Leinster jersey and it's nice. It's something I always wanted to do, pull on the Leinster jersey.
'I've been playing rugby since I was five years of age. Obviously I had a 15-year break between when I was 18 and 33 last year, when I got to play again. I didn't think I'd ever get to put on one (a Leinster jersey). But I did and that was nice for me.
'I went back playing with New Ross last October and the game has changed an awful lot. There's an awful lot I've had to learn. It's completely fresh and completely new but really enjoyable. I just really love playing with New Ross.
'I'm just learning how to play the game again. You know the basics but in terms of tactics it has evolved a lot. Fifteen years is a long time. Really enjoying it. With the training I'm doing now it's been upped again. So yeah, learning a lot.'
At 6'5', Walsh has a physique that lends itself to rugby, but he quickly kicks to touch when asked how far he could have made it in the game if it was his number one sport.
'There were different trials and stuff but I was delighted with hurling. I was playing schools hurling with Good Counsel College and that was the kind of rugby finished then.'
Given the success he enjoyed, particularly in the early part of his career, you couldn't say that he made the wrong choice, but Walsh felt his days with Kilkenny had naturally run their course by the end of last year after struggling with injury and no longer being a regular starter.
'I kind of tore the top of my groin off the bone and I was lucky I didn't need surgery. That was last February. I was only back from the club campaign.
'I gave three months rehabbing it and I suppose I was only back near the end of it. If I knew I was going to be starting on the team you might be looking at it differently but I don't think that would have been the case and, look, I gave long enough wearing the Kilkenny jersey and I think it was time just to step aside.'
He also became a father just before announcing his retirement as his wife Vicky gave birth to twins, Charlie and Kate.
'So they were born just at the end of October, the 29th of October, and the first couple of months, sure I knew Kilkenny were back training and you're up every three hours feeding them at that stage and you're kind of saying, 'I wouldn't be able to be an inter-county hurler now'.
'But then, since I'd say January they're sleeping great and everything like that but there was definitely times when I was thinking, I don't know could I even do it if I wanted. Everyone gets through that.
'That could have been only a couple of nights like that really. Now they're sleeping the night and everything is great as well.'
Walsh will be part of the Bord Gais Energy GAA Legends Tour series at Croke Park this summer and reflected on the 'surreal' experience of making his senior debut there for the 2012 All-Ireland final replay win over Galway, as he scored 1-3 in a man of the match display.
'It's mad. I suppose if someone did it now… it would be hard to think of now, I suppose, that a player could come in, join a panel at that stage and, look, if it never went to a replay it wouldn't have happened either.
'I was on the bench from the quarter-final against Limerick in 2012 so I joined the panel just after that. Galway beat Kilkenny in the Leinster final.
'But I had been in training, making up numbers, I suppose, and I was with the under-21s, Kilkenny under-21s, at the time so yeah, look, it was. It was mad really. Yeah, it was. Getting man of the match.
'But for me at the time, I was just delighted to play for Kilkenny and to play with your heroes, lads you look up to as you're growing up and winning All-Irelands with them. It was mad really.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
39 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Battling Ireland fall to defeat against world No 1 Netherlands
Netherlands 2-0 Ireland Ireland fell to a 2-0 loss against world No 1 and Olympic champions the Netherlands in Amstelveen on Wednesday at they resumed their FIH Pro League season. Ireland played well for large spells, fashioning some good opportunities. However, the Dutch showed their ruthlessness streak to nick two goals that swung things in their favour, albeit they enjoyed the rub of the green for both. The Netherlands threatened from the off, with defender Lee Cole called into action almost immediately to clear the ball off the line. Ireland responded well, holding possession and managing to progress into the Dutch final third, with Ben Walker making his way into the circle, followed by a blocked shot from Alistair Empey. Thierry Brinkman thought he had broken the deadlock with a reverse stick shot but Ireland immediately opted to refer for backstick, which the video umpire agreed with chalking the goal off. Early Dutch pressure in the second quarter again forced Ireland onto the back foot, but Ireland continued to ask questions of their vaunted opponents, with incisive runs from Fearghus Gibson and Daragh Walsh providing chances. However, a controversial penalty corner for the Netherlands offered them a chance to open the scoring, which Luke Dommershuijzen dispatched to score his first senior goal. Ireland started the second half brightly. Positive play it the final third lead to a shot from Lee Cole inside the first minute, but his strike was deemed to be dangerous, and the Netherlands were given a free out. Patience in possession for Ireland continued to pay dividends, as Matthew Nelson attacked the circle and was unlucky to not get an outcome. The Netherlands, however, showed their goalscoring prowess to double their lead from their first chance of the second half, Steijn van Heijningen deflecting the ball into the net with the deftest of touches. They found a higher gear in the final quarter, though Ireland battled to the end. Ultimately the Dutch closed it out to extend their lead at the top of the nine-country FIH Pro League table to seven points. England are second, ahead of Belgium on goal difference. Ireland are bottom with one point from nine matches to date. Ireland will play the Netherlands in Amstelveen again tomorrow at 7pm.
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Minimal change in low-key squad announcement for Ireland's US summer tests
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS low-key, the squad itself not straying too far from recent iterations after all. It was released through FAI social media channels at noon, while a press release landed in journalists' inboxes. There was no press conference with head coach Carla Ward, as is customary; some quotes instead circulated for use as the 23-player selection for a friendly double-header against the US was unveiled. Katie McCabe's unavailability was flagged last week, the captain rested after a hectic season which culminated in Champions League glory with Arsenal. Ward stated McCabe was 'on the verge of burnout' after the Nations League group finale against Slovenia, and suggested 'a number' of other players would not travel Stateside for the off-season series. More change was probably anticipated than followed, Ward selecting a relatively familiar squad as Ireland build towards their Nations League play-off with Belgium in October. Eight players were listed by the FAI as unavailable, four of them long-term injury absentees in Jamie Finn, Jess Ziu, Lily Agg and Tara O'Hanlon. Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan had both been ruled out of the last camp, while Aoife Mannion joined the captain as the other name: the Manchester United defender played the first half of the Türkiye game, but didn't feature against Slovenia as her load — and a quad knock — was managed. Aside from the now-retired Louise Quinn, Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy was the only other player from the last squad not included following a recent bereavement. 'The WNT players and staff send their condolences to midfielder Aoibheann Clancy following the passing of her mother, Siobhan. She is being given the time to deal with this difficult period and has the full support of the WNT squad,' read the press release. Advertisement Hayley Nolan and Izzy Atkinson (centre) return to the squad. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Ellen Molloy, Hayley Nolan and Izzy Atkinson were the three headline inclusions. Molloy and Nolan receive their first call-ups under Ward. Molloy has been impressing in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division since returning to Wexford, and now gets a fresh opportunity with Ireland. The 21-year-old midfielder was a regular under Vera Pauw, before an ACL injury interrupted her rise. A move to Championship outfit Sheffield United followed, and Molloy won her first senior cap since 2022 in last October's Euro 2025 playoff semi-final against Georgia. Another injury followed, she left Sheffield in January after four months due to personal reasons, and has been thriving amid home comforts. Nolan is back in the fold for the first time since late 2023 under Eileen Gleeson, having last played for Ireland in the pre-World Cup friendlies against the US. It's a full circle moment for the Crystal Palace defender, who has see-sawed between fine form and injury in recent times. 'Hayley has been unlucky to miss out on being included in recent squads, simply because we have a lot of competition for places at centre-back,' said Ward. 'We have kept an eye on her at club level, I've spoken with her managers and also had conversations with her. So we are excited to bring Hayley in and give her a chance.' There notable change is in defence, in the absence of first-choice full-backs McCabe and Mannion. Atkinson gets the nod as another left-sided option alongside Megan Campbell and Chloe Mustaki, while right-back is an area in which Ireland currently lack choice. Mannion appeared to nail down the position through the Nations League, though is naturally a centre-back. Jessie Stapleton deputised against Slovenia and will most likely have to do so again without injured duo Payne and Finn, but Nolan's versatility could also be useful. Expect huge competition at centre-half: there's a spot up for grabs for the first leg against Belgium with Anna Patten suspended, and no shortage of contenders. The rest of the squad runs along the same lines as the last, with no change in the goalkeeping department and Molloy added to a midfield selection spearheaded by Denise O'Sullivan, who will be stand-in captain. 'Ellen is a player who we have been tracking closely,' said Ward. 'She has done well for Wexford over the last two months and has been on the longlist for our squads, so we needed an opportunity to take a closer look at her in our environment and this is it. 'We know how talented Ellen is but it's how she can adapt that to international level is what we need to look at. I watched her when she was with Sheffield United and we've been watching her at Wexford, so we want to see how she gets on during this camp.' There's also continuity in attack, all who featured in the last window returning. New recruit Erin Healy is recalled, and could win her first cap in her country of birth. Atkinson is actually listed as a forward. The 23-year-old Dubliner gets a fresh international opportunity following her departure from Crystal Palace. She was in Ward's first squad where 'tough love' was offered after falling 'out of favour' at Palace, but was left out thereafter. Related Reads Recalls and absentees as Ireland squad named for US friendlies Have expectations been set too high for Ireland after mixed Nations League group? Like Molloy and Nolan, the 2023 World Cup bolter will be looking to get back in the picture. Ireland head coach Carla Ward. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Further experimentation with new faces, like younger and domestic talent, may have been hoped for in some quarters, but Ward sticks with pretty settled squad as the Belgium play-off looms large. The US provide formidable competition as the world number one, reigning Olympic champions and four-time World Cup winners. Their European-based players will be rested, but Emma Hayes still has an abundance of top stars to choose from. Ward cites her as a mentor and close friend and has unique insight, having worked in the set-up at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a scout and performance analyst. Now, she leads Ireland into their 16th and 17th meetings with the US in Denver (Thursday 26 June) and Cincinnati (Thursday 29 June). 'We know how good USA are, they've always been world-class but I believe Emma has taken them to another level and that's why this is a great test for us. To be coming up against the very best is a good opportunity for us,' said Ward. 'When these games were first proposed to us we knew that we would be without certain players, but that opens the door for others to step up. 'Of course you always want to win games but, for me, the most important aspect of these two games will be the performance and continuing to implement our processes. 'These two fixtures will be our final preparation, in terms of games, before we take on Belgium in October, so we want to make the most of these opportunities.'
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Ireland battle hard against Netherlands but fall to controversial defeat to world's number one side
The hosts threatened early, forcing Ireland into defensive action within minutes. Lee Cole was alert to clear off the line from a dangerous opening attack. Ireland responded confidently, settling into possession and advancing into the Dutch final third. Ben Walker made a probing run into the circle, followed by a blocked effort from Alistair Empey. Ireland continued to control much of the play, but when the Dutch broke through, goalkeeper Jaime Carr made a sharp save to keep the game level. Thierry Brinkman thought he had opened the scoring with a reverse stick strike, but Ireland wisely referred the play for a backstick — and the video umpire agreed. The first quarter ended scoreless, with Ireland very much in the contest. The second quarter saw the Dutch apply early pressure once more, but Ireland remained resolute. Luke Madeley showcased composure and skill in breaking the Dutch press, initiating an attack that ended with Empey drawing a foul and earning Ireland their first penalty corner. Madeley's drag flick was well charged down by the Dutch defence. Ireland continued to trouble the hosts with clever runs from Fearghus Gibson and Daragh Walsh, but it was the Netherlands who broke the deadlock — and in contentious fashion. Awarded a debatable penalty corner, Luke Dommershuijzen converted to score his first senior international goal. Just before half-time, the Netherlands pushed for a second, but Matthew Nelson's brave block ensured the score remained 1-0 at the break. Ireland began the second half with renewed intensity. Lee Cole struck inside the opening minute, but the effort was ruled dangerous, giving the Dutch a free out. Nelson continued to ask questions of the Dutch defence with a strong run into the circle, though no outcome followed. Despite Ireland's encouraging play, the Netherlands showed their clinical edge. From their first real chance of the half, Steijn van Heijningen applied a delicate deflection to double the lead. Ireland kept their heads up and quickly earned another penalty corner, but once again the Dutch defence held firm. A well-worked move shortly after was also snuffed out. As the third quarter drew to a close, the Netherlands won a series of penalty corners, but Ireland's defensive unit stood tall, denying them on three successive attempts to keep the margin at two goals. In the final quarter, the Dutch gained more control, generating several shots, all of which Carr handled expertly. Ireland's persistence was rewarded with a third penalty corner, won by Empey, but Cole's effort was blocked and cleared. A late Dutch corner inside the final five minutes prompted one last save from Carr, who was excellent throughout. The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 win for the Netherlands, who extend their lead at the top of the FIH Pro League table to seven points. Ireland, however, will take heart from a composed, competitive performance against the best side in the world. The two teams meet again tomorrow, June 12 at 7.00pm in Amstelveen. The match will be broadcast live on the TG4 Player.
