Irishman, Tommy Walsh, runs laps during a St Kilda training session at Linen House Oval in Moorabbin, Melbourne. Slattery Images
To little fanfare earlier this week, St Kilda secured the services of an Irish lad named Tommy Walsh. But behind the scenes this was a big, big decision for the 2008 Young Gaelic Player of the Year. And in the end, it says a lot about the lure of the big-business, professional game we call Aussie Rules.
Walsh is a son of a gun, who won Gaelic football’s equivalent to the Rising Star award in 2008, so his defection to AFL has rocked the Irish game, whilst also pleasing the premiership-hunting Saints.
In fact, Saints list manager Matthew Drain labelled Walsh ‘the best credentialed player to come out of Ireland’ so this is a big deal.
Anyway, as a lover of all sports, I try to keep an eye on what’s happening in the Gaelic Athletic Association’s (GAA) All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, although I’ll admit I’m hardly knowledgeable about the competition.
Nevertheless, witnessing ex-Sydney Swan Tadhg Kennelly help Kerry defeat Cork at Croke Park in the All-Ireland final this year, made me aware of his county teammate Tommy Walsh after he booted 4 crucial points in the decisive match.
But Walsh, 21, is someone who has been known in AFL circles a lot longer than just that match.
St Kilda had been chasing his signature for some time (after player agent Ricky Nixon identified the talent) bringing Walsh out on a one-week trial in December last year, but the Kerry youngster resisted their courtship preferring to stay in his native Ireland.
After all, Walsh was part of a large family of Gaelic football stars and he was ready to follow in the footsteps of his father, Sean, who was a seven-time All-Ireland winner between 1978 and 1986.
Walsh hails from the south-west region of Kerry which is the most successful county in the Irish game and where bloodlines are an important part.
Former Kerry player and popular Gaelic football broadcaster Weeshie Fogarty claims this family tradition is ‘the secret of Kerry’, who have won a record 36 All-Ireland championships.
And Walsh, who won the prestigious honour of being awarded the GAA’s Young Footballer of the Year in 2008, before winning the All-Ireland championship in 2009 with Kerry, was destined for big things in Ireland.
But St Kilda’s enticing offer was enough to tempt him away from Kerry, all the way to Melbourne to play a foreign game in a foreign land.
It is believed Walsh will earn about $50,000 a year on a two-year contract with the Saints, while back in Ireland, Gaelic football isn’t even a professional sport and the youngster had actually taken a year off his studies in IT to work in an engineering firm during 2009.
Upon the announcement of his deal to join St Kilda, Walsh commented, “It was a very tough decision … but it was just too good an opportunity to pass up. I’m not under any illusions about what’s ahead and hopefully it will work out.”
Indeed, the opportunity to play professionally, earn good money and live abroad is something which has enticed young Irish talent to Australian shores in recent years with players like Kennelly, Setanta O’hAilpin, Marty Clarke, Kevin Dyas and Colm Begley following Melbourne’s Jim Stynes and Sean Wight a decade or so earlier.
But Dyas and Clarke’s recent departures represents a trend of Irish players returning home after a few years in Australia, and Kerry coach Jack O’Connor believes Walsh will be back.
Speaking about Walsh, as well as another potential St Kilda addition from Kerry, David Moran, O’Connor said, “The fact is there are more people coming back from Australia than are going out there. One way or the other, they’ll be back playing for Kerry in the future.”
But Nixon believes Walsh could be a template for change, saying, “Too many clubs are in a rush and they don’t think about it long term. Tommy has had a year now to think about it and plan it.
“It certainly has created a bit of a template. We’re not going to rush out and sign a kid this week and stick him on a plane. That’s not going to happen anymore.”
And the well-known player agent has tipped big things for Walsh who he rates highly; “Hopefully he will revolutionise Irish players in the AFL. Most, if not all, have been running midfielders but Tommy is a forward and no Irish player has come to play forward in the AFL … he is a powerhouse player.”
Clearly, though, Irish players in the AFL have been a tad hit-and-miss, but the Saints’ effort to lure a true talent to our shores could provide the template for success and Walsh’s progress will be monitored with keen interest.
And you can count on that interest travelling beyond Australia, all the way back to Ireland where Walsh’s progress will be big news for the GAA who just can’t compete with the AFL’s temptations.
chris
Guest
GAA Football players seem to have the most options then over codes as apart from playing Gaelic Football they can also go to Hurling,Shinty,Soccer,Aussie Rules,Rugby Union,Rugby League,Handball etc.
Kiwi
Guest
Thanks Michael. Yep the girls are keen to give it another shot, and go one better this year, and we are on the hunt for a new coach to inject some new ideas and development into the side for the 2010 season. The girls are keen, and already out doing their speed and fitness work, so any keen coaches, come along and share the vision! The Gaelic skills are easily adapted to the AFL game, and these girls certainly have the Irish fire in their bellies!!! And yes, in time we would love to grow and have a mens team doing the same in the Sydney AFL. Maybe Tadgh could coach them once he retires from the Swans again.
Pajovic
Guest
You don't really know what your talking about Dave1. Those Irish GAA players are talented boys and like playing the ball. The biff usually come from the antipodes in fairness. Its a part of your game. It isnt a part of Gaelic footie and usually results in a heavy suspension. Given the structure of the Irish championship, its to be avoided. Poor quality post Dave1.
Dave1
Guest
Croatia does play cricket. They became an ICC affiliate member in 2001 They have just lost to Israel this month in a playoff, so will move back from the European 2nd division to the 3rd http://www.cricketeurope2.net/docs/ECC/NEWSLETTER/issue104.pdf “…..The final international match of the ICC European Tournament season was played at the Hrvatski Sokol ground in Budenec, Zagreb on Sunday 11 October between Israel, winners of this summer’s Division 3 Championship in Spain, and Croatia, the bottom placed team of the Division 2 Championships held in Guernsey in 2008………..” Therefore, at the moment they are ranked 14th in European cricket http://static.icc-cricket.yahoo.net/ugc/documents/DOC_F960BCE4C50EB22E9B46C03344747DC3_1256529417677_998.pdf
Dave1
Guest
The SMH is not one of the best papers in the country. It is hardly relevant to most of Sydney. It caters to mainly Balmain basket weavers or the north shore. It has at least three columnists who will tell you stories about GPS rugby that is irrelevant 99.9 of NSW’s population. Also, Roebuck writes for it.
Dave1
Guest
I dont think its suprising that AFL exhibition matches get on the Oval. From 1989-2000 it was known as the The Foster's Oval and from 2001-2003,The AMP Oval
Kurt
Guest
You were getting just a little bit over the top with some of your comments and I guess you just strayed over that fuzzy line that separates the appropriate from the inappropriate in online discussions. Just stick with hating AFL and not necessarily those of us who follow it and you should be right.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Are you using a false email address? I bet Michaelunt is not even your real name!!
michaelunt
Roar Rookie
Did not know I was banned. Somebody should have told me! [Your email address bounced - we tried to tell you. The Roar is a place for respectful and informed sports debate. Any comments outside of this aren't appropriate and will be deleted. Ed. The Roar.]
Pippinu
Roar Guru
The other interesting aspect, and a few mentioned this on the Roar a while ago and were absolutely pilloried, that the German aussie rules league has joined forces with the gridiron people (in terms of sharing office space and the like), and the Swedish aussie rules blokes have done the same with teh Swedish rugby people. In all cases, it's a matter of just sharing some scarce resources - but in the German and Swedish examples, they reckon they will be entitled to some government funding, which is an interesting thought. In some of these European countries where rugby has a very low profile, I reckon there is plenty of merit in the aussie rules guys joining forces with the rugby blokes. 1. sharing of office space and admin facilities 2. sharing of grounds (that are likely to be at a premium) 3. bigger organisation and capacity to attract more players and interest. It can benefit both sports because bigger pools of players attract more players - and no doubt you will get plenty of blokes wanting to sample a bit of each - it can only be good for both.
Michael C
Roar Guru
albatross - "As MC (”c” is for crank I suppose) and others have gone close to suggesting treachery in the past." What are you trying to say mate?? and leave the personal attacks down at the pub will you. btw - on this page, there's 34 matches on 'Redb', 28 on 'Pippinu' and 15 on 'Michael C'. I've been particularly restrained thankyou very much......and I'd rather you don't go the inflammatory path so I can remain as such (restrained that is).
albatross
Roar Pro
I wan't referring to the general run of enthusiasts only the fanatics and cranks. (As Churchill opined there is a difference: "A zealot can't change his mind. A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject. As MC ("c" is for crank I suppose) and others have gone close to suggesting treachery in the past.
Redb
Roar Guru
the irony of self appointed 'delusion police' is that they suffer from a delusion that they're reading delusion. :-) They're like reverse spin doctors ;-)
Redb
Roar Guru
yeah but I dont give a rats about camogie. :-) You miss the point, for footy fans it's good to read of these leagues around the world. The articles depict the level its not hyped up to be anything more than some expats who got some locals interested in our football. In various countries it has moved ahead but as the articles says many get little help from the AFL, maybe a few Sherrins. Says to me even greater interest will spring from the International Cup in 2011 from very humble beginnings. Redb
albatross
Roar Pro
http://www.gaa.ie/images/headerImg09/header_images/Image_Fixtures.jpg
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I follow Football (what you call Sokkah) and I also follow Rugby League and Cricket. I used to play Rugby union as well.....and that is fairly normal for Western Sydney (except the rugby bit). I would say I have watched more AFL than the Average Victorian has watched Rugby League / Union thats for sure. And apparently half the MV membership are also AFL club members so that dispells a few myths on both sides I think. Keep the put downs for the Telegraph :)
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Albatross absolutely no one on this thread is describing it as anything more than what it is - a handful of Europeans wanting to trick up a kick.
albatross
Roar Pro
Pip et al I know hope springs eternal in your fevered breasts but there are for example Camogie leagues in Germany, a Serbian national rugby team and cricket is played in Croatia too. It rather as Dr Johnson observed about a woman preaching - " (it is) like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all."
Michael C
Roar Guru
I'd disagree on that point. the 'wholeheartedly and exclusively', it's a bit hard to throw that at the AFL given it's a 26 week season (including finals), and the rest of the time we're all off supporting/following/watching other sport. Unlike 24/7/365 soccer for example. Also, the AFL has focussed on a single tier....the domestic league. Killed of SoO and has very, very limited 'international' activity and only via a compromise that isn't hugely prioritised. Unlike the NRL for example which is attempting to be all things to everybody - - i.e. a major domestic league, but, also the SoO and then the international dimension - limited as it is. That to me is pushing the wholehearted and exclusive barrow far, far more than the AFL.
albatross
Roar Pro
The AFL has learned one thing from the GAA over the years - the concept that you are not truly a citizen unless you support the code wholeheartedly and exclusively.