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Kilkenny King

Allstars, shinty, All-Irelands, blood injuries, Cody and New York - Tommy Walsh's hurling career

Walsh retired today after a stellar career with the Cats.

1. Tommy as a young lad from Tullaroan starting out back in 2002

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2. He was in the wars over the years with the blood and scars to prove it

The league in 2003…

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And the league in 2013.

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

3. Walsh’s underage days saw him win All-Ireland U21 hurling titles with Kilkenny in 2003 and 2004

Tommy Walsh, David Herity, Willie O'Dwyer and Michael Rice Tommy Walsh celebrates with David Herity, Willie O'Dwyer and Michael Rice in 2003. INPHO INPHO

4. He started out his Kilkenny career in attack, evenutally hitting the net here past Brendan Cummins in 2003 

Burgess TV / YouTube

5. A first All-Ireland senior hurling win arrived later over Cork in 2003

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6. Walsh also lined out for college outfit UCC

In the Fitzgibbon Cup against Limerick IT in 2004…

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And in the Cork senior hurling semi-final against Cloyne and Diarmuid O’Sullivan in 2005.

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7. There was also the pain of losing All-Ireland finals, like this game against Cork in 2004

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8. Plenty All-Ireland wins were in store for the future

2006 against Cork…

Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

2007 against Limerick…

Andrew Paton / INPHO Andrew Paton / INPHO / INPHO

2009 against Tipperary…

Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

And 2011 against Tipperary.

Cathal Noonan Cathal Noonan

9. In 2008, Walsh captained Leinster to win the Interprovincial championship

Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

10. His small stature didn’t stop him facing imposing attackers 

Going up against Waterford’s Seamus Prendergast…

Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

And Galway’s Iarla Tannian.

Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

11. He won so many, many Allstars – nine successive awards between 2003 and 2011 in five different positions

2004 with Sean Kelly…

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2007 with Nicky Brennan…

Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

And 2010 with Christy Cooney.

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12. In 2009, Tommy was crowned Hurler of the Year

He’s here with 2009 Footballer of the Year Paul Galvin.

Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

13. Those Allstars brought plenty trips like this NYC taxi ride with Galway’s Alan Kerins

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

14. Walsh’s aerial abliity was stunning to watch like this brilliant example from the 2011 final 

jryantime / YouTube

15. Tommy also turned his hand to playing shinty for Ireland over the years

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16. Tommy’s combative approach saw him involved with match officials as well

Conor Ryan / YouTube

jryantime / YouTube

17. In 2012 he became the hunted as Lar Corbett followed him around Croke Park

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Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

18. Last summer saw him show a unique new hurling penalty tactic 

Conor Ryan / YouTube

19. He wasn’t averse to having the craic with other hurlers off the field 

Walsh with Ronan Curran, Michael Rice, Ken McGrath and Brendan Cummins in 2009. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Hanging out with Podge Collins last February. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

20. He had one manager over the years and there was plenty moments to celebrate with Cody.

Cathal Noonan Cathal Noonan

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

21. In September, Tommy signed off on a winning note with Henry 

Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

22. And he’s passed the Kilkenny hurling baton on to his brother Padraig

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Kilkenny teammates, Munster opponents and Gaelic footballers all pay tribute to Tommy Walsh

Kilkenny’s Tommy Walsh is retiring from intercounty hurling

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