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Walsh has been out of action for several months due to a hamstring injury. YouTube
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'I'm hoping to play for Kerry again before my best years are behind me' - Tommy Walsh

The 25-year-old AFL star admitted that the drive to represent his county is “still there”.

TOMMY WALSH HAS admitted “the drive to play for Kerry is still there” and that he hopes to represent his county “before my best years are behind me”.

Walsh, who is currently recovering from a long-term hamstring injury, is entering into the final year of his AFL contract with the Sydney Swans. And speaking on Newstalk’s Off the Ball, he admitted his future was still uncertain.

“Because it was such a serious injury, your body has to prove that you’re still up to playing AFL. If I can get back into the team, then I can start looking at my options after the 2014 season. It’s up to the club to sit down and talk about it.

“I haven’t thought about it a lot, but when the time comes, there’s a decision to be made. It’s definitely an experience I’ve enjoyed but whether it’s time to come home or not, I don’t know.”

Walsh said that the pull of Kerry was “huge, because it’s what I grew up wanting to do”. Acknowledging the significant number of players from the county retiring in recent years, Walsh added:

“If I did go back, I wouldn’t know half the team. It’s nice that they’ve all gone out on their own terms. They’ve been great servants to Kerry and I’m just feeling very privileged to have played with a few of them.”

Nevertheless, provided he does eventually return, it will take Walsh a while to readjust to GAA. He has become so accustomed to Aussie Rules that “if I go home and go back to using the round ball, it feels a bit weird”.

However, despite being tempted by the prospect of a Kerry return, Walsh remains content with life in Australia.

“It is a nice lifestyle and it’s definitely something I’ve enjoyed experiencing over the last couple of years. You never really know what it’s like until you do it. It’s a great experience so far and I’m looking forward to next year and pushing on and trying my best to get through this injury.

“Hopefully I can get into main training by February and the games start again at the end of February. I’m not sure I’ll make them but hopefully I can make one of the practice games before the season starts properly.”

10 of Kerry’s best sporting moments in 2013>

Number of GAA players accessing GPA Mental Health Service trebles in 2013>

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