Tommy Walsh confirms he is returning to Kerry
After weeks of speculation, former Kerry footballer and All-Ireland winner Tommy Walsh has confirmed he is returning home from Australia.
Walsh has been playing football in Australia since 2010, first drafted to St Kilda’s before being traded to the Sydney Swans in 2011.
The 26-year-old was offered a contract extension by the Swans, but there was speculation in recent weeks that he would instead return to Ireland.
This was increased by an appearance on RTÉ’s “Thank GAA it’s Friday” where he spoke of his interest in a possible return to Championship football.
Walsh confirmed the move today in an interview on the Sydney Swans website, when he said he always saw himself returning home.
“It was obviously something I wanted to do since I came out here,” he said. “ I always knew I’d be going back and after five years here I knew that the time was right.”
“I’ll be going back to my club Kerins O’Rahilly’s and I don’t know, but maybe Kerry as well.”
Walsh also took the time to praise the Sydney Swans club and its fans and thank them for the opportunities he had been given in Australia.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” he said. “It’s the best thing I ever did.”
“To be able to experience professional sport in two great cities with two great clubs, I’ve met a lot of great people and I’ll have friends for the rest of my life over here.”
