Tommy Walsh, young player of the year in 2008, and promising All Ireland medal winner for Kerry 2009 has returned to the Kerry squad this season. Tommy appeared to have all talents to be a top class performer and many people thought he would be a massive addition to the Kerry team on his return. However, by all accounts, Tommy is just abut keeping a place on the bench. What has happened? Currently it seems to me, Tommy is merely a pawn in the game by Fitzmaurice, there to give an impression of strength but a player whose career is probably finished by serious injury. Is Tommy Walsh merely another name on the long list of young players who showed plenty of potential to be a great but yet faded into obscurity? Thoughts?

JamesH (Mayo) - Posts: 465 - 31/07/2015 20:03:42    1761849

Season is still but a pup. Fitzmaurice knows what he's about and will hold Walsh where he has him until he needs him.

dingle2 (Kerry) - Posts: 278 - 31/07/2015 21:58:49    1761894

Going to the AFL is a massive risk for any player. The likelihood of sustaining serious injury would be higher than playing football. Walsh left when he was relatively young and has been away for a fair while. His skills with a round ball are bound to be affected and he will also have to get used to the restrictions of playing in a more rigid system than he would have been used to before. It will take some time to get near his former level. It took Kennelly a long time to readjust when he returned. I would still be hopeful that he can recapture his form.

MB1 (Tyrone) - Posts: 360 - 01/08/2015 08:27:52    1761895

Yerrah shure, isn't the Gooch just as addled by naysayers. More power to his 'lucky' first touch the last day. As for Fitz, ye're right to tell him straight: tis no country for yesterday's men!
...
or something

plike (Kerry) - Posts: 569 - 01/08/2015 08:42:16    1761897

I see James has finally came out from under the rock he was hiding under since the Limerick game last August!

Tell us honestly, you weren't the Mayo lad who drove down to Killarney and climbed Carrantuohill the day before the All Ireland last year to put a Mayo flag on top of the Mountain were ya?

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 01/08/2015 11:32:03    1761938

The same could of been said about Donaghey this time last year!

as_ky (Kerry) - Posts: 535 - 01/08/2015 21:42:04    1762213

dingle2
County: Kerry
Posts: 72

1761894
Season is still but a pup. Fitzmaurice knows what he's about and will hold Walsh where he has him until he needs him

Agreed, why show your hand so early? Walsh will have a part to play.

GetOverTheBar (Tyrone) - Posts: 1388 - 02/08/2015 10:29:35    1762269

If you look at the Kerry team at present there isnt much room for T Walsh.
The main positions he is fighting for are full forward or one of the midfield spots as he isnt suited to the half forward line IMO.
With Donaghy being captain and Moran and Maher undropable at the moment in midfield its hard to find a spot for him. It is slighty suprising that he hasnt been given a few minutes at the end of one of the games so far. However wwe have a good bench this year and that is understandable as well as competition for places is very healthy for the team but his time will come, lots of raw talent and power in him but may take another year before he find his feet and gets a dozen or so good club and county championship games under his belt.

KY4SAM2015 (Kerry) - Posts: 898 - 02/08/2015 11:56:30    1762323

In fairness Tommy looked decent when he came on, we might see more of him yet...

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 03/08/2015 10:29:24    1762895

Lads leave poor old James H alone he is still coming to terms with last years SF and dreading a Donegal hiding next weekend!

Walsh looked very strong in the air yesterday, reminiscent of his minor days at midfield, he is a great option at midfield should anything go wrong the DM or AM!

Ciarrai Abu (Overseas) - Posts: 1050 - 03/08/2015 12:59:53    1763037

Tommy looked impressive in his 10 minute outing yesterday and fielded two mighty balls. Great to know he's in reserve should Moran or Maher pick up an injury or a black card. Bench yesterday looked very strong with the likes of Keane, Donaghy, Darran, Galvin, Walsh, Mikey Geaney, Crowley and Buckley who would make any other county starting 15.

dingle2 (Kerry) - Posts: 278 - 03/08/2015 21:17:06    1763414