KERRY SELECTOR MIKEY Sheehy has stated that Tommy Walsh will not line out at full-back this year.
Kingdom manager Eamon Fitzmaurice suggested earlier in the year that the 2008 Young Footballer of the Year could be suited to playing at either full-back or centre-back, but Sheehy admits Walsh isn’t suited to it.
“Not at the moment,” the former Kerry star said.
“It has been said before, I have heard several people saying it, but we haven’t tried it yet anyway.”
“You can pick a guy at number three but he need not necessarily be playing number 3 the way guys have to change positions. Defensively we will have to improve, we’ll be hoping to do that in the championship.”
Kerry fans are eager to see Walsh return to the starting fold for Kerry but Sheehy has asked for supporters to be patient.
“People are going to have to be patient with Tommy. He’s been away since the end of 2009. It’s a different game.”
Two years ago he had a very serious injury. He tore his hamstring off the bone.
“He’s fine fitness-wise but we have to be patient with him in relation to his football. He’ll have a major role to play at some stage during the year.”
Other questions revolving around Fitzmaurice’s team selection for the Munster SFC semi-final includes the debate about whether or not Paul Galvin has a place in the side.
Sheehy didn’t give much away ahead of Sunday’s trip to Semple Stadium, citing that players’ performances in training are much more important than their reputations.
“It gives us another option up front. He was out of football for a year but Paul is one of these guys who looks after himself very well, came back in great condition. He’s working very hard.”
What I would like to think about us as a management is that we’ll be consistent like we were since 2013. No matter who you are, reputations count for nothing. Whoever is playing well in training and in the A v B games will get the jersey.