Aidan Walsh on winning a Munster medal: I thought I'd never be back in this position again

Former Kanturk and Cork star Aidan Walsh won his second Munster medal at club level at the weekend as he played his part in taking down a Cork team.

The 35-year-old transferred to An Ghaeltacht at the start of the year given his living in the Kingdom now and he helped his new team defeat Aghabullogue in the AIB Munster Club IFC final at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale on Saturday.

An Ghaeltacht won 2-12 to 1-8 with Walsh winning the provincial championship at club level for the second time having won one with the Kanturk hurlers in 2017.

“I definitely felt all the 35 years of my age in that game, very tough game,” Walsh said post-match.

“I thought I'd never be back in this position again, so like that, I'm very fortunate, lucky that I was able to get over the line.

“The pitch was in great nick, a massive pitch so it was very lively, clear space, so a lot of running, but just relief really. At times it felt like we were under pressure, making silly mistakes, myself included, just giving away the ball a bit too easy.

“In fairness to Aghabullogue, they were very good in the tackle, very fit, so it took us a while to grasp that and to move the ball quicker and move it from side to side instead of trying to go down the middle. 

"In the second half, I felt like we played a lot better, moved the ball better, we got our shooters on the ball and thankfully we finished the game well.

“At times the legs were struggling. I really felt it, but definitely time to sit down now and go through a few things and see where I can get the legs moving a bit faster, because it's only going to get faster in the next round. 

"We'll enjoy the next few days. At my age now to get the opportunity to play in an All-Ireland semi-final, it might never come around again, so I'm just really going to enjoy it.” 

Walsh had strong support from Kanturk in Rathkeale at the weekend.

“I continue to say I'm a Cork man, but I play for An Ghaeltacht. People were saying to me in the build-up to the game today, 'How do you feel now playing against Aghabullogue?' The only two teams I would never play against are Kanturk and Cork. I have no affiliation with Aghabullogue, it's just like playing any other team.

“I've really enjoyed this year, it's a great club, very passionate club, they love their football. I'm just very lucky to have come into the club where they're at the start of a trajectory. Ten minors came into the group this year, it's a very young team.

“I'm 35, 36 next month, and the next oldest is only 31, so it's a young group, and that's very exciting. It makes you want to continue on.”