LONG-SERVING DUAL player Aidan Walsh has described it as ‘a pleasure and a privilege’ to play for Cork as his inter-county career has drawn to a close.
Walsh, a 2010 All-Ireland senior football winner, has been involved with the county senior hurling setup in recent seasons.
Cork GAA paid tribute to the Kanturk man tonight after the player himself posted that he was looking forward to ‘the next challenge’.
Cork GAA would like to thank Aidan for his many years of service for both the Cork Hurling and Football teams. Aidan has won multiple titles with Cork including Munster medals in both codes along with Senior All Ireland Football title in 2010 and young player of the year in 2010. pic.twitter.com/mu8JZw0c4m
— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) December 7, 2020
“Was a pleasure and a privilege to get the opportunity to wear the red and white of Cork,” wrote Walsh in an Instagram post.
Enjoyed every minute of it and made life long friends along the way. Thanks to all my family and friends. I look forward to the next challenge and representing my club for as long as possible #onwardsandupwards #lifegoeson #rebelsabú”
Walsh’s announcement comes a day after his Kantuk club-mate Anthony Nash revealed he was retiring from the inter-county game.
Tonight the Irish Examiner have reported that Conor Lehane and Christopher Joyce are other established players that will not be part of the Cork hurling setup in 2021.
The 30-year-old’s career highlight came in September 2010 when he lined out at midfield as Cork lifted Sam Maguire. He was Young Footballer of the Year that season as well as an Allstar winner, also bagging that individual award for midfield displays in 2012. Before that in 2009, Walsh helped Cork win the All-Ireland U21 title.
In hurling he won Munster senior honours in 2014 and produced one of the great individual underage displays in 2011 when Cork lost out to Limerick in an epic provincial U21 final after extra-time. Walsh scored 0-8 from play, including the levelling point in injury-time.
He moved between both codes to line out for Cork senior sides in recent years while also representing Ireland in the International Rules series. Walsh has been part of huge success with his club Kanturk, most notably in February 2018 when they won the All-Ireland intermediate hurling title in Croke Park.
