Kingdom set for new era as Walsh calls time

KERRY’S next senior football manager will lead a new era after Donnchadh Walsh followed Kieran Donaghy by announcing his retirement. The 2015 All-Star made his debut under Páidí Ó Sé in 2003 and went on to win three All Irelands, eight Munster titles and two National League Division 1 titles, all the time adding to his reputation as an invaluable link man in the Kerry attack. ‘I am retiring from Kerry inter-county football with a lifetime of memories,’ he said in a statement. ‘I first played for Kerry as a minor two days after my 17th birthday back in 2001, and apart from a brief period where I had to knuckle down in my early 20s, I have been on the juggernaut that is the life of a Kerry footballer ever since. ‘I cherished every second because it’s all I ever wanted to do,’ he added. ‘But now, it’s time for me to step aside. I wish the new Kerry senior football manager the very best of luck and encourage all my former teammates to do what it takes to get Kerry back to the top. The memories will be worth it.’ The Cromane clubman received a host of gushing tributes, Donaghy summing up in fitting fashion: ‘Fittest player I ever played with, the ultimate pro, some man to stick a one-onone, great teammate,

some craic on the lash, serious club man. Never left an ounce out in that pitch, 100% every time.’ Also retiring is Galway footballer Sean Armstrong – for the second time. The SalthillKnocknacarra player previously retired in 2014 after losing his appetite to play county football but returned to link up with Kevin Walsh’s squad for the past two seasons and featured in the county’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Dublin last month. It looks like the only question remaining is the make-up of Liam Sheedy’s backroom team, with his surprise second coming as Tipperary hurling manager set to be formally ratified on Monday. With William Maher and Liam Cahill the front runners in the race to succeed Michael Ryan, the man who guided the county to All-Ireland success in 2010 has pipped his rivals for the post. The popular Portroe clubman caused shockwaves when he quit as manager shortly after thwarting Kilkenny’s historic bid for a fivein-a-row, citing work commitments. Sheedy’s status within the game is such that he chaired the Hurling 2020 Committee which produced a blueprint for the game and made the three-man shortlist to succeed Páraic Duffy as director general of the GAA. He has spoken of his natural disappointment at being overlooked for the position only last March with the prestigious role going to finance director Tom Ryan. Sheedy currently works as Bank of Ireland’s director for Munster.