kavvie, everyone is entitled to their opinion, why does having an opinion different to yours mean that I haven't seen much hurling?
Dunne and Whelahan played in the same era, being from Wexford perhaps colors my view but I give my vote to Dunne - he was the leader on Wexford teams that despite winning an All Ireland were never anywhere near as good as what came along in the 00's, perhaps thats why at the end of the day for me while the 90's were great in terms different teams winning, the standard in play could not be compared to the Kilkenny and Cork teams of the 00's and on into the 10's

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1805 - 20/11/2014 16:20:48    1673744

An absolute legend of the game, if even a few of the Galway hurlers had the heart of Tommy Walsh, we certainly wouldn't be waiting 27 years for an All Ireland.

gilly0512 (Galway) - Posts: 1176 - 20/11/2014 16:38:21    1673760

Liam Dunne was not a hatchet man.Tough as old boots,never shirked a tackle.His battles with J Power were not for the feint hearted.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/11/2014 16:42:54    1673763

Folks, along with the laudits for his outstanding hurling ability, character and spirit, his retirement letter is worthy of mention. He hit every note, appreciation of family, teachers, team-mates, supporters etc. and the special thanks to the like of Rackard Cody. I thought it oozed class, and displayed a gratitude and recognition of the contribution of others that star players across sports don't always display.

LaLu (Louth) - Posts: 233 - 20/11/2014 16:47:58    1673764

cuederocket
County: Dublin
Posts: 1434

1673763
Liam Dunne was not a hatchet man.Tough as old boots,never shirked a tackle.His battles with J Power were not for the feint hearted.


My point was the poster said Tommy Walsh got away with a lot, he would be in the same vein as Liam Dunne. Great players but able to be dirty when needed, not an insult. I loved the 2 of them!!

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7902 - 20/11/2014 16:54:26    1673770

Very well put LaLu - he played the game very aggressively but seems to be a gent off the field. There was a great letter printed in a national newspaper after Dublin beat Kilkenny last year about his conduct on the field after the game, represents everything good about the GAA. Apparently his father played for years with Tullaroan and Tommy has vowed to do the same before passing the jersey onto his own son - that's the type of thing that makes our games.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 20/11/2014 17:13:18    1673778

This is not the time o compare Tommy with anybody else.
For me, he has been a fantastic player with all the skills, the requisite aggression, the unbelievable skill and pace. He had everything you needed to be a top player. With JJ one of the greatest half back lines.
Tommy wil be missed, his swashbuckling style, his ferocious appetite for work, his clearances. He had it all.

I am delighted and feel privileged that I witnessed Tommy, in his prime and happy retirement Tommy.

You played the game as it should be played and you have been an inspiration to a generation , young and not so young.

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1821 - 20/11/2014 20:06:36    1673835

Any chance he might take about 6 of his colleagues with him and give the rest of the country a sporting chance ?
Seriously, a truly brilliant player, easily the best wing-back I've ever seen.
All we can do is thank him and wish him well.

jerryp (Cork) - Posts: 104 - 20/11/2014 20:11:07    1673837

Simply - A class act

Well done Tommy, some career

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 20/11/2014 20:59:11    1673852

What a player. Watching him consistently claim the ball in the air over much taller men one of the finest sights in hurling I've seen.
The best half back? As ever, a totally subjective argument. But what you could say is that any discussion about the best would be pointless if he wasn't in consideration. What more can you say really.

KildareKelly (Kildare) - Posts: 593 - 20/11/2014 20:59:16    1673853

Tommy was such a class act. People often
Forget how many all Ireland finals he dominated. 2003,2007,2009 and 2008 ,he just momped up scoring in 3. He played on the edge, clipping Brian Gavin twice but when Tommy Dunne hit him in 2009, he was straight back up. Have the privalege of seeing him in 2011 when he caught thr sliothar in the air and set up shefflin for a class point. Big suprise this year as he played well against galway twice but seen no more action. The second best hurler of all time in my eyes behind shefflin. #tw5

222 (UK) - Posts: 694 - 20/11/2014 21:16:56    1673857

Well done tom enjoy the golf kiddo.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 20/11/2014 21:37:56    1673863

Any chance he'll come and play in Offaly for the next 5 years I wonder.

Unbelievable player and one of the most exciting to watch since DJ retired. I would not like to be in charge of any committee trying to pick the next best hurling 15 of all time. Himself, JJ, Henry and even DJ will surely have to be on it from Cody's era. KK fans will be happy that his younger brother looks every bit as good.

Faithfull (Offaly) - Posts: 573 - 20/11/2014 21:42:33    1673866

An excellent player and one any team would love to have. He appeared to be a very good character off the field. Good players like TW could play it any way and deal with what was put in front of him (tough and honest). Was not the biggest player on the field which made his performances all the more special-had a level of consistency which would be very difficult to match in any generation. I wish him a happy retirement and may he continue playing for years to come.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 21/11/2014 10:46:15    1673903

This letter last year after Dublin beat Kilkenny sums up what a decent guy he was as well as a great hurler..

Sir, - My sense of elation on Saturday night in O'Moore Park, as the Dublin hurlers defeated Kilkenny in the Leinster championship, is difficult to put into words. Beside me was my father who was six years of age the last time Dublin achieved such a feat. Gaels up and down the country will appreciate that the feeling of sheer wonder at such a powerful Dublin performance stems not from the fact that we won a Leinster semi-final but that we out-played and out-fought what is almost certainly the greatest team in the history of the game.

However, as I walked around the hallowed turf after the match, mingling with supporters from both sides exhibiting shock and disbelief for very different reasons, I was taken aback by a sight that will linger in my memory as long as the Dublin victory.

There, in the middle of the field, some 10 minutes after the final whistle, stood Tommy Walsh of Kilkenny - still glistening with sweat in the warm evening sun, his jersey marked with splashes of blood; possibly his own, possibly not. He was surrounded by children decked both in sky blue and black and amber. He signed every single jersey and match programme. He posed for every single photograph. This man is not accustomed to the bitter of taste of defeat. This living legend who has garnered a record nine all-star awards in a row and won six all-Ireland titles and will surely see more of both, has never before been humbled at such an early stage of the championship. And yet, there he stood, as I watched in awe for a further 10 minutes, putting his arm around every youngster that was ushered before him by an eager parent and patiently waiting as yet another camera phone was pointed at him by an outstretched arm.

What can I say? For anyone who wonders what is special and unique about the GAA, who wonders what makes it the finest organisation in this country with nothing even remotely like it in the rest of the world, who occasionally, like myself, unthinkingly takes for granted its place at the heart of communities up and down the island, I give you Tommy Walsh - the embodiment of the spirit of the GAA and, for that matter, what might just be great about the people of this country.

Yours, etc,
PADDY MONAHAN,
Clancarthy Road,
Donnycarney, Dublin 5.

MURPHB33 (Dublin) - Posts: 166 - 21/11/2014 11:03:01    1673912

While Cody greatest hurling manager of all time and KK half back line played great in replay and KK have won All Ireland again I honestly still think Cody got the decision to drop Walsh this season wrong. When he played this year he did well. Had he played more he probably would not have retired. KK would probably be better off having his services for the next 2 seasons or so. Shame to see him gone at 31.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1354 - 21/11/2014 11:06:56    1673913

Some class acts retiring this year. Rory Hanniffy gone from Offaly as well. He was top class but his career came about 10 years too late for inter county rewards!!

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7902 - 21/11/2014 11:43:37    1673921

One of the best players in an era of great players.

I can't help but feel there is more to this story that we know. He's 31 and if you told me 12 months ago that he'd spend a full year on the bench for Kilkenny, without hardly a minute all season, before retiring I'd have laughed at you.

ringo (Wexford) - Posts: 384 - 21/11/2014 11:49:18    1673924

Hero and living legend!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8592 - 21/11/2014 12:38:52    1673942

An excellent player and one of the hardest skills in GAA to pluck a ball out of the sky he mastered it to perfection.
At times seemed like he was on an invisible ladder compared to the rest of the field when jumping for the ball.
Enjoy the retirement Tommy u earned it.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 21/11/2014 13:04:29    1673946