'All that effort without any reward hurts' - Walsh vows to return hungrier

AS THE DUST begins to settle on a failed championship tilt, Donnchadh Walsh has urged his team-mates not to let their emotions rule their head and walk away from the cause.

Kerry relinquished their All-Ireland crown in disappointing fashion on Sunday as they were out-gunned by Dublin at Croke Park but Walsh has encouraged those considering retirement to think again.

“It’s up to fellas themselves,” he said as the Kerry team returned home on Monday. “They know when it’s time but I’d be encouraging fellas to stay on because no matter what kind of contribution they can give it will be worth it.

“It’s not just what they can offer on the field but what they can offer off it too. Their experience – they can be as big an influence as a coach or a manager. I’d just love if these fellas stuck around again.”

At 31, Walsh is one of those placed in that bracket but he admits the experience of heartbreak and failure at the final hurdle will act as a motivating factor moving forward.

“Hunger is something that drives every team,” the forward continued. “You get more out of yourself the hungrier you are. That’ll help us next year but next year is a long way away from now.

“The curve is still on the way up for me so once it is, no matter what kind of line of work you’re in, you want to stay on that crest of a wave.

“Obviously, your gut is telling you why are you putting yourself through it when you don’t win. It’s like all this effort without any reward.

“At the moment, you don’t want to think about anything but after a few weeks and months that will change. ”

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