Advertisement
Walsh in action for the Cork U21 hurlers. INPHO/James Crombie
dual role

Cork's Aidan Walsh leaves door open for dual role

The Kanturk clubman is keeping his options open.

IRELAND’S VICE CAPTAIN Aidan Walsh is fit and ready to play in their second Test against Australia in Corke Park tomorrow, if he’s selected.

The Cork midfielder picked up a knock in last week’s first Test in Cavan but feels he has rested it enough to come into consideration:

“Hopefully. I don’t know what team has been picked but I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.

“Keep the knee iced and what not and hopefully it’ll improve over the next few days.”

The 23-year old also dismissed any concerns over his ability to line out for Kanturk as they take on Eire Og in the Cork intermediate hurling final on Sunday week if he takes to the field against Australia tomorrow.

“No I wouldn’t [be concerned] to be honest. I suppose as long as I don’t get a bang on it again.

“Hopefully it’ll hold up and it’ll be fine.”

When pressed on whether he’s given much consideration to which code he’ll focus on next year, the two-time All Star refused to rule out a dual role.

“I suppose I just have to wait and sit down with the lads at home and see what happens, weigh up the possibility of doing it. I suppose there’s a lot of things to take into account. It’s something I’ll probably be thinking about. I’ve got to wait and see what Jimmy and Brian Cuthbert think about it.”

It helps that Cuthbert — who was appointed Cork football manager earlier this month — is apparently open to the possibility of Walsh playing both sports.

“I suppose he can kind of understand why I would like to try it if I was able for it. I suppose I’ve to wait and see if Jimmy gives me a ring first to see if he wants me. I can’t be jumping to conclusions first.”

As for the rumours of him being involved in the replayed hurling final with Clare, that was just someone’s imagination running wild.

“No, that was pure and utter lies to be honest. I don’t know where it came from. There were people coming up to saying they were putting money on me to get first goal in the final. I was saying, ‘work away’. But no, I was never in with them once.”

That said, it hasn’t stopped the Kanturk star from wanting to be involved.

“I suppose it was winning the All-Ireland (U-21) in ’09 that made me go football wise but hurling, I suppose, if I was to try and do the dual I’d try to do it for a year or two and see how it goes.

“I suppose, the way it’s gone, it’s nearly impossible.

“Yerra, I’ll see, I have a few more years to think about it.”

Irish goalkeeper urges people to seek help with mental health issues

The best Marty Morrissey Halloween costume you’ll see today