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Tommy Walsh: I always felt the fans’ support

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4 years ago

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Former Kerry footballer Tommy Walsh at the launch of Guinness 0.0’s ‘Yours for the Taking’ campaign. Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan.

by Adam Moynihan

Tommy Walsh has spoken of his positive relationship with Kerry supporters over the course of a memorable intercounty career that ended with his retirement in 2021.

The Tralee native won two All-Irelands and an All-Star during his time in green and gold and he was a popular figure amongst the county’s football fans, often receiving big ovations when introduced off the bench in recent seasons.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser at the launch of Guinness 0.0’s ‘Yours for the Taking’ campaign, Walsh said that although Kerry supporters have a reputation for being critical, he always found them very encouraging.

“I wouldn’t say I felt [the support] any more than any of the other lads, but I always got on very well with Kerry fans. I live in Tralee and I travel around the county and I always enjoy my interactions with them.

"Whether I was coming off the bench or I was starting, I always felt their encouragement and support, and it does make a difference.

“When people are wishing you well and you’re seeing the signs and things like that around the place, it always gives you that extra pep in your step.

“Kerry supporters would have a name for being critical, but I suppose that’s because they know their football, and they have high standards from what has happened historically. I meet people walking around the streets and everyone is generally very, very positive. They’re only wishing you well. But there is always going to be expectation there.

“The lads inside [in the Kerry squad] are well aware of that as well. Hopefully they can have a good year, and then the expectation will be even higher next year. That’s just the way it works.”

The Kerins O’Rahillys player believes that the current Kerry team are in a “good place” heading into the All-Ireland series. Should supporters be optimistic?

“Kerry fans are always optimistic, aren’t they?! [The team’s form] creates a buzz around the place and everyone in Kerry knows that it’s All-Ireland champions or nothing. That’s always the way it’s been. If you don’t win it, it’s a bad year. This year will be no different.

“The boys look like they’re in a good place. I’m sure they’re working hard at the moment and hopefully it will be a successful 2022 for them.”

Read the full interview in Friday’s Killarney Advertiser

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Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic

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4 weeks ago

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7 November 2025

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Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1)

Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell

Saturday 7.30pm

Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre

The St Paul’s women’s team will be hoping to get their National Cup adventure off the ground on Saturday when they welcome 2024 champions Brunell to Killarney. Tip-off in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre is at 7.30pm.

Paul’s have displayed some fine early season form, although their unbeaten start in the Super League came to an abrupt end last weekend when they lost to the Trinity Meteors in Dublin. James Fleming’s side weren’t at their best on the day but they were well in contention heading into the final quarter with the scores at 47-45 in favour of the hosts. The Meteors pushed on in the fourth, however, eventually running out 63-53 winners.

St Paul’s scorers on the night were Maisie Burnham (13), Tara Cousins (12), Lorraine Scanlon (12), Lovisa Hevinder (9), Denise Dunlea (5) and Leah McMahon (2).

The Killarney club are now joint second in the table alongside the Meteors with both teams holding a 4-1 record. Killester are top having won each of their first five games.

Paul’s opponents on Saturday, Brunell, have won three out of five league matches so far.

LAKERS

The Utility Trust St Paul’s Lakers have now won three of their last four games in Division 1 of the Men’s National League following an impressive home victory over Moycullen in Killarney.

Eoin Carroll and Jack O’Sullivan made significant contributions of the Boys in Black; Carroll hit 17 points and collected 13 rebounds while O’Sullivan had 14 points, 12 rebounds and some spectacular blocks.

Steve Kelly posted 30 points and the durable Sam Grant played every second, adding 21 points along the way.

The Lakers started well before the visitors found their footing and the sides went in level at the half-time break after scores by home captain Carroll. There was still nothing to separate the teams entering the fourth quarter (68-65) but buckets by Carroll, Pablo Murcia and Grant opened up a nine-point lead. Moycullen fought back admirably, however, cutting the deficit to just four, but Luke O’Hea’s charges held firm to prevail by eight (88-80).

Next up is a cup tie against the Tipperary Talons, a side they defeated by 30 points just a couple of weeks ago. The cup can be very different to the league, though, and they will need another solid performance to advance to the next round. Tip-off in in Killenaule is at 6.30pm on Saturday.

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Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan

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4 weeks ago

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7 November 2025

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After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork and Kerry separate in the 2026 Munster Football Championship.

The new seeding system – which gives the two highest ranked Munster teams in the National League byes to separate semi-finals – will now come into play in 2027, twelve months later than initially planned.

This will give Clare and Limerick a chance to earn promotion to Division 2 of the league, potentially overtaking Cork if the Rebels were to get relegated to Division 3.

Despite traditionally being the two main contenders for Munster football honours, Kerry and Cork haven’t met in a provincial decider since 2021. The Kingdom have won each of the finals since then (one versus Limerick and three versus Clare) by an average margin of 15.75 points.

More high-profile Kerry v Cork finals might be desirable for fans of those teams, businesses in Killarney and Cork, and neutrals alike but Munster GAA’s plans to effectively keep the great rivals on opposite sides of the draw understandably drew criticism from the other participating counties. A statement by the GPA confirmed that players from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipp had met via Zoom to discuss the matter. They were said to be “deeply disappointed and concerned” by the decision.

The 12-month delay will at least give two of those disaffected teams an opportunity to benefit from the new seeding process.

The draw for the 2026 Munster Football Championship will take place on November 27 under the old rules. As 2025 finalists, Kerry and Clare will get byes to the last four (but they will not necessarily be kept apart).

Nine members of Kerry’s squad are up for All-Stars at tonight’s awards ceremony in Dublin with Joe O’Connor and David Clifford also in contention for the prestigious Footballer of the Year award.

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