Irish Daily Star - Inside Sport
It’s wal’ to play for now
TOMORROW’s encounter with Waterford at Nowlan Park is an ideal test for Brian Cody’s latest rebuilding job.
The positioning of Padraig Walsh at centreforward has really caught the eye.
Another positive was Walter Walsh’s 1-3 blast against Dublin last time out. It was a scoring haul like the Walsh of old, and the fact he played the full game was encouraging.
The three-time All-Ireland winner has been plagued by injury in recent years.
And in a time of flux for the Cats, Walsh has struggled to put down the run of form required to be a mainstay in a C ody environment.
Still just 30, Walsh — an All Star in 2016 — came on as a half-time sub in the win over Antrim at Nowlan Park,
The secondary school teacher was a 46thminute sub against Tipp and managed 64 minutes against Laois.
Towering
The towering Tullogher-Rosbercon forward is deceptively quick for someone 6’5”, allowing him to play on the wing, as well as at fullforward.
He is a serious target for puck outs and Kilkenny certainly benefit from his physical presence when he’s fit and on form.
With Cody piecing together a new look attack, Walsh is putting up his hand.
Eoin Cody and TJ Reid’s return will beef up his options.
A fully fit Walter Walsh, Padraig Walsh cutting it at number 11, and with the likes of Billy Ryan, John Donnelly, Martin Keoghan and Adrian Mullen knocking around, suddenly Kilkenny appear to have a serious looking forward line again.
Walter Walsh is on the go for a long time. His Kilkenny debut came in the 2012 All-Ireland final replay victory over Galway, when Cody pulled his biggest rabbit from the hat in more ways than one.
Walsh scored 1-3 from play and was named man of the match. Almost a decade later perhaps he can still be a big player as
Cody looks to put the squeeze on
Limerick.