KILKENNY STAR PADRAIG Walsh let the cat out of the bag yesterday when he revealed the identity of Tipperary’s new shirt sponsors.
Walsh works for Elverys in Kilkenny City and the sports chain are expected to reveal a new partnership with Tipp ahead of next Sunday’s Allianz League Division 1A showdown at Semple Stadium.
“Yeah, I think it’s going to be announced tomorrow,” Walsh confirmed at a promotional event yesterday.
Tipp severed ties with previous sponsors Skoda after last year’s championship but have been bearing the log of the car manufacturing giants on their attire this year.
Walsh, meanwhile, is refusing to panic as the Noresiders attempt to stave off the threat of a relegation shootout.
Last year’s League and All-Ireland champions are currently second from bottom in the standings, two points ahead of Clare, with two rounds of group fixtures remaining.
Walsh, who is 23 tomorrow, said: “Everyone is working hard and trying to get a place on the team.
“There’s a few lads away at the moment so lads are looking at that as an opportunity to get a jersey and we saw last year there were a lot of fellas used throughout the league and championship.
“And Brian (Cody) always picks the team on form so lads are taking this as an opportunity to get on the team for the championship.”
Walsh also admitted that losing the services of his brother Tommy from the Kilkenny squad has been “tough.”
Nine-time All-Ireland SHC medallist Tommy called time on a glittering intercounty career last year, prompting Padraig to thumb the following tribute to his elder sibling on Twitter:
And Padraig said: “It was tough. It wasn’t until he announced it that you really felt he was after retiring. I was still in primary school when he was on the county. It was nice to be with him there on the panel for two years.
“His main thing was always: “Do what you can for the team… keep it simple and work hard.”
