KEVIN WALSH REELED back the years yesterday as he came off the bench and won a vital clean ball as Killanin won the Intermediate championship.
Even more remarkably Walsh ended up marking former team mate and last year’s Galway selector Paul Clancy.
Walsh, now 45-year old, was appointed Galway manager last Monday, naming Corofin’s Brian Silke, brother of 1998 All-Ireland winning captain Ray, and Barna’s Sean Conlon as his selectors.
The Galway legend was asked by his club to come to their assistance when a number of injuries left them with limited resources ahead of the game.
Walsh agreed to be a sub but his decision was kept under wraps and the former double All-Ireland senior medal winner was hoping he wouldn’t be required.
But with six minutes remaining at Tuam Stadium against neighbours and arch rivals Moycullen, Killanin midfielder Eamon McDonagh was injured and Walsh was summoned from the stands.
And the triple All-Star winner won the first ball in the middle of the field which led to Killanin opening up a three points lead and they held on to win by 0-13 to 0-10.
- Additional reporting by Eamon Donoghue