Pádraig Walsh calls time on Kilkenny career

Two-time All-Ireland winner Pádraig Walsh has called time on his Kilkenny career, citing a wish to dedicate more time to his club, Tullaroan.

The 31-year-old also won seven Leinster titles and two All-Stars, to go with the All-Ireland medals he picked up in 2014 and 2015.

Those All-Stars were won in the half-back line, where he played the majority of his career for the Cats, but later in his career he also excelled in the forwards and at midfield.

"It's just gone to that stage now. I’ve been there a good few years now and I’m starting to feel it in the body, just finding it harder to recover," Walsh told the Irish Independent.

"I just want to give a few good years to the club, so I said I'd call it a day. There was no big reason or anything.

"I kind of knew at the start of this year, this was going to be my last year, no matter what."

Walsh, the younger brother of Cats legend Tommy, debuted for his county in 2012.

"Pádraig Walsh is retiring from inter-county hurling following a stellar career in the black and amber," said Kilkenny GAA in a statement.

"A pillar of the Kilkenny defence, Pádraig has won seven Leinster titles and two All-Irelands, along with many other accolades, over the course of his career with Kilkenny.

"On behalf of Derek Lyng and his management team and Kilkenny County Board, we wish Pádraig the very best in his retirement from inter-county hurling. Padraig’s achievements and service to Kilkenny GAA speak for themselves."

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