One of the very, very best. A lot of miles on the clock for the age of him but if the AI replay is anything to go by, Pádraig is more than capable of continuing the family legacy.
best hurler I have ever seen in my lifetime.
So many all-stars in so many positions.
wile young to be retiring, but that's the way it is going these days.
What can you say about him that hasn't been said before.
When KK were winning handy, Tommy Walsh was leading.
When KK needed someone to dig them out or take the game by the scruff, Tommy was the leader.
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it was the quality that most of us will remember him for. Fearless.He broke a lot of hurls and a lot of hearts and won a lot of admirers along the way to a glittering career. I'd loved to have seen him take even a small part in KK's win this year but Cody doesn't do sentiment.
Quote from: orangeman on November 20, 2014, 11:14:52 AM
What can you say about him that hasn't been said before.
When KK were winning handy, Tommy Walsh was leading.
When KK needed someone to dig them out or take the game by the scruff, Tommy was the leader.
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it was the quality that most of us will remember him for. Fearless.He broke a lot of hurls and a lot of hearts and won a lot of admirers along the way to a glittering career. I'd loved to have seen him take even a small part in KK's win this year but Cody doesn't do sentiment.
+1
now can he please take Lar Corbett out of his pocket
Quote from: orangeman on November 20, 2014, 11:14:52 AM
What can you say about him that hasn't been said before.
When KK were winning handy, Tommy Walsh was leading.
When KK needed someone to dig them out or take the game by the scruff, Tommy was the leader.
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it was the quality that most of us will remember him for. Fearless.He broke a lot of hurls and a lot of hearts and won a lot of admirers along the way to a glittering career. I'd loved to have seen him take even a small part in KK's win this year but Cody doesn't do sentiment.
yeah he was the same size as me lad, but by God he could catch a sliothar. This and his never say die attitude and sublime utility made him the outstanding player of his time. End of an era hi. What age was he 30/31?
Fantastic player. The Kilkenny fans loved him especially when he made a catch often over a taller player. I suppose when he didn't feature much last year he might have felt it was the right time to go.
Quote from: orangeman on November 20, 2014, 11:14:52 AM
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it
Yes, amazing.
How did he manage it I wonder?
Delighted he's leaving on a high after some high profile casualties of the Cody era left in less dignified circumstances.
If the GAA re-did their Millennium (or greatest ever) team, would he displace Whelahan? I'd have to say yes. An absolute privilege to watch over the last 13 years. You could literally throw him in at any position and he'd be one of the best players on the pitch.
Quote from: theticklemister on November 20, 2014, 10:54:28 AM
best hurler I have ever seen in my lifetime.
Lets not go overboard. A great man to win ball, yes. His deliveries were atrocious.
Quote from: Premier Emperor on November 20, 2014, 11:21:57 AM
Quote from: orangeman on November 20, 2014, 11:14:52 AM
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it
Yes, amazing.
How did he manage it I wonder?
A great hurler, but this is my bugbear. He fouled nearly every single f*cking time. That old trick with the butt of the hurley pushing the helmet over the eyes was sly as hell :D
Great player though, fantastic leader for the Cats, best of luck to him in his retirement.
Quote from: theticklemister on November 20, 2014, 11:18:08 AM
Quote from: orangeman on November 20, 2014, 11:14:52 AM
What can you say about him that hasn't been said before.
When KK were winning handy, Tommy Walsh was leading.
When KK needed someone to dig them out or take the game by the scruff, Tommy was the leader.
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it was the quality that most of us will remember him for. Fearless.He broke a lot of hurls and a lot of hearts and won a lot of admirers along the way to a glittering career. I'd loved to have seen him take even a small part in KK's win this year but Cody doesn't do sentiment.
yeah he was the same size as me lad, but by God he could catch a sliothar. This and his never say die attitude and sublime utility made him the outstanding player of his time. End of an era hi. What age was he 30/31?
Le cúnamh Dé
Very efficient with the dirt, like all the cats. They play the defence game so well of course but every little helps.
Quote from: seafoid on November 20, 2014, 11:38:31 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on November 20, 2014, 11:18:08 AM
Quote from: orangeman on November 20, 2014, 11:14:52 AM
What can you say about him that hasn't been said before.
When KK were winning handy, Tommy Walsh was leading.
When KK needed someone to dig them out or take the game by the scruff, Tommy was the leader.
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it was the quality that most of us will remember him for. Fearless.He broke a lot of hurls and a lot of hearts and won a lot of admirers along the way to a glittering career. I'd loved to have seen him take even a small part in KK's win this year but Cody doesn't do sentiment.
yeah he was the same size as me lad, but by God he could catch a sliothar. This and his never say die attitude and sublime utility made him the outstanding player of his time. End of an era hi. What age was he 30/31?
Le cúnamh Dé
Very efficient with the dirt, like all the cats. They play the defence game so well of course but every little helps.
A cute hoor no doubt but I wouldn't call him dirty. Never pulled a stroke (the one in the league against Galway was probably his worst) on the scale of Dunne or Donnellan.
To me he played with a pure wild abandonment who's tactics were simply to be where the ball was going to be and there was never a thought of being second best when the contest was there to be won. He was as close to the complete hurler that there's been IMO.
Quote from: Premier Emperor on November 20, 2014, 11:23:21 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on November 20, 2014, 10:54:28 AM
best hurler I have ever seen in my lifetime.
Lets not go overboard. A great man to win ball, yes. His deliveries were atrocious.
Don't forget, he was putting the ball into the Kilkenny forwards who to a man can win their own ball, not the Tipp lads who need it on a silver platter.
Fantastic lad for getting the KK crowd going when the game was in the mix, and his catching was sublime even if he did indulge in the dark arts from time to time he took his medicine when it was dished out as well.
You'd have him in your team any day of the week.
Quote from: johnneycool on November 20, 2014, 01:47:07 PM
Quote from: Premier Emperor on November 20, 2014, 11:23:21 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on November 20, 2014, 10:54:28 AM
best hurler I have ever seen in my lifetime.
Lets not go overboard. A great man to win ball, yes. His deliveries were atrocious.
Don't forget, he was putting the ball into the Kilkenny forwards who to a man can win their own ball, not the Tipp lads who need it on a silver platter.
Fantastic lad for getting the KK crowd going when the game was in the mix, and his catching was sublime even if he did indulge in the dark arts from time to time he took his medicine when it was dished out as well.
You'd have him in your team any day of the week.
Absolutely. Brian Whelehan was, to me, the purest half back I've seen in terms of his ability, his skill and the way he glided to the ball, but Tommy Walsh was a more forceful lad, and was much more physical presence and probably more of an inspirational sort of fella.
Firstly, I believe smaller players get more leniency from referees and also get more credit for doing the things that bigger players do.
So when Tommy Walsh caught a ball against a player who he was conceding 6 inches to in height and another 3 inches to in arm reach, it always gave an extra wow factor. Had he been 6 foot 2, people wouldn't have been moved about it as much.
That said he was a really tenacious player and a great reader of the game. At his peak he could hurl his man up a stick and the Kilkenny crowd really fed off everything he did.
He was a different player to Brian Whelahan. Whelahan operated as more of a sweeper across 3 or 4 different positions, whereas Walsh had a more set role. Walsh was a better marker, tackler and catcher, but Whelahan was much more of orchestrator and a play maker.
I couldn't believe that he is only 31. He seems to have been on the scene forever.
Quote from: gallsman on November 20, 2014, 12:37:45 PM
Quote from: seafoid on November 20, 2014, 11:38:31 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on November 20, 2014, 11:18:08 AM
Quote from: orangeman on November 20, 2014, 11:14:52 AM
What can you say about him that hasn't been said before.
When KK were winning handy, Tommy Walsh was leading.
When KK needed someone to dig them out or take the game by the scruff, Tommy was the leader.
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it was the quality that most of us will remember him for. Fearless.He broke a lot of hurls and a lot of hearts and won a lot of admirers along the way to a glittering career. I'd loved to have seen him take even a small part in KK's win this year but Cody doesn't do sentiment.
yeah he was the same size as me lad, but by God he could catch a sliothar. This and his never say die attitude and sublime utility made him the outstanding player of his time. End of an era hi. What age was he 30/31?
Le cúnamh Dé
Very efficient with the dirt, like all the cats. They play the defence game so well of course but every little helps.
A cute hoor no doubt but I wouldn't call him dirty. Never pulled a stroke (the one in the league against Galway was probably his worst) on the scale of Dunne or Donnellan.
Pretty sure any player that whacks a ref in the face with a hurl would be called dirty
Quote from: omaghjoe on November 20, 2014, 03:46:33 PM
Quote from: gallsman on November 20, 2014, 12:37:45 PM
Quote from: seafoid on November 20, 2014, 11:38:31 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on November 20, 2014, 11:18:08 AM
Quote from: orangeman on November 20, 2014, 11:14:52 AM
What can you say about him that hasn't been said before.
When KK were winning handy, Tommy Walsh was leading.
When KK needed someone to dig them out or take the game by the scruff, Tommy was the leader.
His ability to catch standing behind a forward half a foot taller than him and come out with it was the quality that most of us will remember him for. Fearless.He broke a lot of hurls and a lot of hearts and won a lot of admirers along the way to a glittering career. I'd loved to have seen him take even a small part in KK's win this year but Cody doesn't do sentiment.
yeah he was the same size as me lad, but by God he could catch a sliothar. This and his never say die attitude and sublime utility made him the outstanding player of his time. End of an era hi. What age was he 30/31?
Le cúnamh Dé
Very efficient with the dirt, like all the cats. They play the defence game so well of course but every little helps.
A cute hoor no doubt but I wouldn't call him dirty. Never pulled a stroke (the one in the league against Galway was probably his worst) on the scale of Dunne or Donnellan.
Pretty sure any player that whacks a ref in the face with a hurl would be called dirty
When did he do that?
Was that Brian Gavin or something?
See the Rocks Tweet;
so Tommy Timber has called it a day...a cheeky little bastard but could he hurl ! big loss to the game #TW5
Tommy was so good he could be played anywhere on the field.
When I go to hurling coaching course he is always picked out as having exceptional technique for most hurling skills
Great role model for young players too - you don't need to be over 6ft to play inter county hurling
Class player, good luck to him
Quote from: Bord na Mona man on November 20, 2014, 02:26:03 PM
Firstly, I believe smaller players get more leniency from referees and also get more credit for doing the things that bigger players do.
So when Tommy Walsh caught a ball against a player who he was conceding 6 inches to in height and another 3 inches to in arm reach, it always gave an extra wow factor. Had he been 6 foot 2, people wouldn't have been moved about it as much.
That said he was a really tenacious player and a great reader of the game. At his peak he could hurl his man up a stick and the Kilkenny crowd really fed off everything he did.
He was a different player to Brian Whelahan. Whelahan operated as more of a sweeper across 3 or 4 different positions, whereas Walsh had a more set role. Walsh was a better marker, tackler and catcher, but Whelahan was much more of orchestrator and a play maker.
Would that not be because it's more difficult for a smaller player to catch a ball against a bigger player than vice versa??
Yeah it was Brian Gavin who got a belt in the face from Tommy's hurley in the middle of a 'melee' in an All Ireland final v Tipperary. No action was taken on it. He was a bit careless with the hurley at times but some player.
Jackie Tyrrell got away with a booking due to Tommy's swinging hurl. Gavin was going to book him before he got hooked and felt he couldn't after he got stitched up as it would look like he was booking him for the incident. Clever fella was Tommy.
He'll be sorely missed by the fans in KK. His struggle for game time this year was likened to a death in the family by the father in law.
Great hurler , who could play a number of positions, though i have JJ Delaney ahead of him in terms of a great defender
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on November 20, 2014, 06:15:48 PM
Great hurler , who could play a number of positions, though i have JJ Delaney ahead of him in terms of a great defender
Both equal, but Tommy is better!
Mind watching a live Kilkenny game about 12/13 years and whoever was commentating was talking about this young player named Tommy Walsh and how good he was. He didn't really standout then, but by God he has been a standout for me every game since. As I said before, best hurler I have ever seen play. He always came out with the ball and won nearly every dual he encountered. Just a pleasure to watch hi, just a feckin pleasure....... Cheerio mo chara. Thanks for the memories.
Quote from: Bord na Mona man on November 20, 2014, 02:26:03 PM
Firstly, I believe smaller players get more leniency from referees and also get more credit for doing the things that bigger players do.
So when Tommy Walsh caught a ball against a player who he was conceding 6 inches to in height and another 3 inches to in arm reach, it always gave an extra wow factor. Had he been 6 foot 2, people wouldn't have been moved about it as much.
That said he was a really tenacious player and a great reader of the game. At his peak he could hurl his man up a stick and the Kilkenny crowd really fed off everything he did.
He was a different player to Brian Whelahan. Whelahan operated as more of a sweeper across 3 or 4 different positions, whereas Walsh had a more set role. Walsh was a better marker, tackler and catcher, but Whelahan was much more of orchestrator and a play maker.
Walsh was one of the best players on an ultra efficient team so he'd be like Schweini say. Whelehan was more like Ruud Gullit.
who the hell is Schweini?
Quote from: theticklemister on November 20, 2014, 09:39:00 PM
who the hell is Schweini?
Bastian Schweinsteiger, the German midfielder.
Tommy is fecking Tommy Walsh and that's it
Tommy is best player I have ever seen. Could play anywhere on the best team in the land (corner back, wing back, mid field, wing forward (winning all stars in each) full forward). Hard as nails, a very cute clever player.
His stick work and hand to eye coordination are unbelievable, glad he finished on a high for his county.
Is he Tommy Welsh or Tommy Walsh?
Quote from: Premier Emperor on November 25, 2014, 11:16:42 AM
Is he Tommy Welsh or Tommy Walsh?
Breathnach is the Irish so Welsh would be more accurate but it depends on how
the name is pronounced in whatever the county is. Matties would say Welsh.
Brian Hogan and Taggy Fogarty followed Walsh into retirement today.
The goalie is gone too. I'd imagine the king will hang up the county boots too, if he wins on ST Patricks day.
JJ and Jackie at 32 hopefully have another season or two in the legs.
The talent in the wings is fierce though!
What age is fogarty? Wouldn't have thought he was that old?
Hogan a loss. When a few more of these boys go it might level the playing field a bit.
Fogarty is 32 just. I only remember one great game he played in final. Never stood out really but tried as hard f**k when on the field of play
Apart from that one final always a fringe player. Didn't think he was that age. Would take it's toll i guess especially if on the bench.
Taggy won 8 All Irelands and no All Stars. Amazeballs!
Was the 2006 finals. Never really locked down his place, but now and again just went on the absolute tear in big games.
Jackie Tyrrell according to lads on Off The Ball had Taggy as his most difficult opponent in the internal games. Some praise when you consider the other options.
Quote from: fearsiuil on November 27, 2014, 01:29:19 AM
Taggy won 8 All Irelands and no All Stars. Amazeballs!
As said he never really hammered down a starting place for any great duration and was more often than not sprung from the bench when threw in against tired defences. His cack handedness would have worked against him even with his lightening pace.
Big Hogan may be a bigger loss, but as already seen this year Joyce can readily step in, so strength in depth is there in Kilkenny as Cody always gives the wannabes a good run out in the leagues.
Quote from: gallsman on November 26, 2014, 03:53:19 PM
Brian Hogan and Taggy Fogarty followed Walsh into retirement today.
3 big losses to any panel and the changing room.
Cody on Tommy Timber
Quote
"Tommy Walsh epitomises hurling" - Cody
Brian Cody has paid a glowing tribute to his recently-retired gladiator Tommy Walsh.
Under Cody's watch, Walsh helped himself to nine All-Irelands, nine successive All Stars, nine Leinster championships and seven national hurling league crowns.
"Tommy Walsh epitomises hurling. I always felt that," Cody states in The Kilkenny People. "He is what hurling is meant to be, especially Kilkenny hurling and the way you would want the game to be.
"He was outstanding. He had everything and he produced it every day he went out. He adorned the jersey completely.
"There is just so much about him. He was completely modest and utterly confident on the field and completely composed on the ball.
"His ability to win ball in the sky was amazing, phenomenal. As a leader he was unsurpassed.
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=228289
Quote from: fearsiuil on November 27, 2014, 03:31:08 PM
Cody on Tommy Timber
Quote
"Tommy Walsh epitomises dirty hurling. I always felt that," Cody states in The Kilkenny People. "He is what dirty hurling is meant to be, especially dirty Kilkenny hurling and the way you would want the game to be.
I fixed up that quote for you.
Quote from: Premier Emperor on December 03, 2014, 02:51:55 PM
Quote from: fearsiuil on November 27, 2014, 03:31:08 PM
Cody on Tommy Timber
Quote
"Tommy Walsh epitomises dirty hurling. I always felt that," Cody states in The Kilkenny People. "He is what dirty hurling is meant to be, especially dirty Kilkenny hurling and the way you would want the game to be.
I fixed up that quote for you.
Still having a wee whinge and moan? The likes of Dunne and Paudie Maher are much dirtier hurlers then Walsh ever was.