ON PAPER, ONE of the players most likely to benefit from the introduction of the advanced mark is Kerry star Tommy Walsh.
The Kerins O’Rahillys man enjoyed something of a third coming last season under Peter Keane, making a major impact in the second-half of the drawn All-Ireland final after his 50th minute introduction off the bench.
The ball-winning ability and aerial threat he showed against Dublin prompted widespread calls for Walsh to start the replay.
While he was forced to make do with another impact sub role for the second outing, it marked quite the turnaround. A year earlier, the 31-year-old wasn’t even on the Kerry panel.
He battled injury and a loss of form following his return from Australia where he spent five seasons between stints at St Kilda and the Sydney Swans.
An ill-fated comeback to the Kerry colours saw Walsh drop off the panel following the 2016 Division 1 final after he was an unused substitute in Croke Park.
“I think any fella that leaves a squad will say they weren’t getting a fair crack,” he said at the launch of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé in the Croke Park Hotel. “I was probably putting a lot of pressure on myself and probably wasn’t performing to the level that I felt I could have.
“Now, at the same time while I probably wasn’t playing that well there were certain times during the 18 months that I was there that I felt that I was doing enough to get into the team or whatever. There were probably ten other fellas that felt that too.”
Last year, Eamonn Fitzmaurice recalled the conversation they had after Walsh informed him of his decision to step away.
“He was so professional, he was so courteous,” the former Kingdom manager stated.
“There was no sour grapes or throwing the toys out of the cot. But I do remember when he was finishing up after the league final and he went back to the club, he said to me, ‘Look, I don’t feel that my Kerry story is over.’ And I said, ‘I agree with you, I don’t think it’s over either.’”
But by the end of 2017, Walsh admits doubts began creeping into his mind about whether he could ever make it back.
“Once I was away from the panel in 2016 and 2017 I was playing football for my club and didn’t play any games really. I kept pulling my hamstring, the same hamstring all the time, it kept giving me problems and I pretty much missed the whole year.
“I suppose at the end of that year I was kind of starting to doubt it. Not that it was ever my ambition to say I’m playing well for my club to get back to playing for Kerry, that was never my ambition.
“I just wanted to get to a level where I could contribute for my club again because I obviously grew up playing there and had a lot of friends there. That’s something I associate enjoyment with all the time, just playing with my club.
“I worked hard that winter and was able to get back playing with my club, I don’t think I missed a game during 2018. And, then, I suppose there was shock really at the end of the year when Peter rang me to come back in. I weighed it up for a week or two but then said I wanted to give it a go.”
It genuinely came as a shock?
“Ah it was, yeah. I kind of put that to bed, really. I was happy, like. I was living my life. I have a lot of other interests besides football and I was doing different things. I was able to go away at weekends in the summer which obviously I can’t do now. I was living my life and getting on with it.
“But, then, when that opportunity came up and a lot of people say you’re a long time retired so I think it would have been something, looking back, where I would have said, ‘Why didn’t I go in and just give it another shot and see what comes of it?’ And, look, there was less pressure obviously.
“A lot of people probably thought that nothing would have happened. I said I’d go in, give it 12 months, and, if it worked, great, and, if not, then at least I’d know then that the body just wasn’t up to it.”
So fast-forward to 2020 and the GAA has introduced a rule that appeals to Walsh’s main strengths: his 6’4″ frame, strength and fielding ability. Little wonder he’s in favour of its introduction, while other elite forwards such as Paul Geaney and Paul Mannion have rowed in the opposite direction.
“I suppose I would see ball-winning as one of my strengths,” he says.
“It’s entirely how the team play, we have good kickers as well, if the boys are able to find me I’ll get my hands on a few. I’ll always give myself a chance of taking it. You have to turn around then and kick it over the bar which, I’m not a free-taker, so that’s something I’ll have to get used to if I am able to take a couple of marks.”
But Walsh feels the GAA have overcomplicated the rule which will make things tricky for referees.
“While the rule itself is a good thing, probably the little rules around it may cause the problems, where you take the mark and you have to tell the referee you’re taking the mark by putting up your hand. If you play on the defender can’t touch you for four steps.
“If you mark it inside in the square it’s a different rule again so I think those little things might cause the problem whereas in Aussie Rules, where the mark is there the whole time, it’s far simpler; you take the mark, you step off, if you come off your line, it’s play on. Whereas I think there’s too many little rules around the mark itself that might cause problems.
“There’ll be guys that’ll be lining up for a free and they’ll be getting tackled and things like that, guys that take a mark and don’t put up their hand. It’ll take a bit of getting used to. I think it could be simplified, but I think the concept of it is a good idea.”
What about Mannion’s fear that some forwards will be double-marked to prevent them from fetching a clean ball?
“I don’t know but if teams are going to do that then it might free up other guy,” he replies.
“It will be interesting to see how teams adapt to it. It isn’t just necessarily a guy standing inside in the square and a ball being hoofed in. There’s different types of runs that you can kind of make to take a mark, you’re more running at the ball to try to take away the time for it to bounce, rather than running wide and it bouncing into you.
“Probably guys that have played International Rules might be a bit more used to it and you might see them come to the fore early on maybe. I think as the year goes on teams will get used to it. I think it will be a good thing. I think fielding is a really strong feature of our game, it’s probably been lost maybe over the last decade. I think with this it might encourage teams to start kicking again.
“A lot of people probably had their reservations about the midfield mark as well but I think that’s been good for the game.”
Many believe the rule will bring Gaelic football closer to its AFL equivalent.
Having played both codes extensively, Walsh doesn’t believe football will become too similar to Aussie Rules.
“No. Obviously it’s a different ball, the tackling is completely different. I think there’s a lot of rules that we could bring in from Aussie Rules that would benefit the game as well but I think Gaelic football is a very different game to Aussie Rules.
“If it was that easy, guys would be going over and adapting straight away but it takes a bit of time. Fielding is a strong feature of our game and I think any rule that encourages kicking and fielding is a good thing for the game.
“It was in for the league last year and I don’t think it was too messy. I don’t think you’re going to see a lot of them in the game. If you see four or five in a game that will be max. So it isn’t going to really alter the way a game pans out.
“Bigger guys or guys that are good ball winners, you might see them come to the fore but you might not as well. They have to turn around and kick it over the bar. If you have a guy that’s able to take a mark closer to goals (great), but a lot of them might be further out the field and teams will just play on anyway so. So it won’t make any difference.”
There are other rules Walsh would bring in from the AFL such as the 50-metre penalty for cynical play and taking the time-keeping responsibilities off referees.
Tyrone boss Mickey Harte has been vocal in his criticism recently on the GAA’s relationship with the AFL. Cathal McShane touched down in Adelaide this week ahead of a potential move to join the Crows, which would rob Tyrone of their top-scorer.
“I don’t see how they can stop it,” remarks Walsh “The only way you could stop it is contract your player.
I think it would be very, very unfair for the GAA to put in a rule that would stop a guy, 18, or 19, getting a chance to go over and play a professional sport on the other side of the world.
“I think while obviously it’s frustrating for managers and particularly clubs because they are losing such a high-quality player, unfortunately, it’s the only chance a Gaelic footballer will get to experience a professional set up full-time unless they go away and play something else, but it’s so close to Gaelic football, it’s the only opportunity.
“And it’s not for everyone. Some guys have gone out there and come back after a couple of months.
“Some guys have turned it down completely, but while I think it is a fantastic opportunity for fellas, while I can obviously see the other side of it, I don’t think there is anything you can do really.
“And I don’t think the GAA see it as a problem. Obviously, Kerry have been affected by it more than anyone else.
“Mark O’Connor is over there at the moment, he would probably be a walk up starter in the Kerry team.
“Tadhg Kennelly was gone for his whole career. I was gone for a couple of years. We have been affected by it as much as anyone. I don’t think there is anything you can do in terms of putting in a rule.
“But what I would say is: Can you do something on the other side? Can you bring in things for players that will make them think twice about going? Can we improve their education? Their lifestyle? Something on the player welfare side (for players) to say, ‘Actually I have it pretty good here.’”
Walsh explains that, for AFL clubs, taking a punt on an Irish youngster is a relatively risk-free move.
“If they draft an Australian guy that’s a draft pick gone, whereas that doesn’t happen when you’re picking an Irish guy. It’s an international rookie, it’s a free pick.
“Obviously it’s a significant investment because they’re probably getting paid higher than a draftee over there.
“You’re bringing your parents, you’ve to fly them home. A lot of man-hours has to go into the Irish guy but there’s a lot of advantages to it from an Australian club’s perspective. And with the guys that are there at the moment they’re being so successful every guy that does better over there, it’s going to encourage them to come and try get more.”
Walsh was one of the oldest players to make a move back in 2009 when he was 21. McShane is three years older.
“He’s probably the oldest guy that’s gone there so it’ll be interesting to see how he does. But I wish him the best of luck, it’s a fantastic opportunity for him and I hope he does well over there.”
While Walsh hopes to continue doing well back here.
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Why are they playing anthems for club football? I’d understand the fuss if he had been picked to play for England but it is a bit silly playing anthema for club games.
In fairness, West Brom were playing a game on American soil so the hosts probably thought it was a nice touch to play their country’s anthem. If an Irish club were ever to do the same we’d be complimentary. And how would you feel if an English player playing for an Irish club (yet again) felt compelled to make a political statement? James McClean just can’t help himself. He might be delighted with all the pats on the back from his mates in the Bogside but he looks like a misguided fool to many. The funny thing is that he was born in 1989, the lad doesn’t have a clue about the troubles. He couldn’t suck it up just once and not look for attention which he knew well would come his way.
It’s just Britain. They honestly play God save the Queen at every opportunity, I heard it being played on family fortunes ffs
If they played the anthem in Premier League matches, it would help get Irish fans to support the League of Ireland!
Ha ha! I doubt they’d bat an eyelid though!
I remember meeting a pal of mine in Cork City in the late 90′s. He lived in a Blackpool an area where there would have been plenty of republican sympathy at the time. It was all Ireland semi final day and I tried to get him to come in to town with me to watch the game.
No luck though, that monumental event, the Charity Shield was also on. My abiding memory was saying good luck to him as he joined the locals in the packed Quinlan’s Bar in Blackpool. The doors were open and the TV was on full blast and “God Save the Queen” blared out over the northside of Cork City. I don’t think anyone noticed, they certainly weren’t bothered.
Meanwhile I struggled to find a bar showing the All Ireland semi final! Cork weren’t playing but still. This belief that the world revolves around Man U, Liverpool etc is ingrained in the irish DNA now. I’d say if the English Premier League insisted on a pause to play God Save the Queen every 5 minutes they couldn’t rid themselves of their “Irish” fans.
Did u not have a TV at home?
Chances are also Keane and Irwin were involved in that game if it was late 90s and considering Cork weren’t playing in GAA match that might be the reason why..
It would make no difference if the were involved or not. The Irish connection is being exposed as an excuse now that it doesn’t exist any more at the top clubs.
If Man U fielded 11 English men against another club with 11 Irish men, who would the Irish Man U fan shout for?? Man U all the way, the Irish factor barely registers.
You were in North Cork in the late 90s Roy Keane was captain of Man Utd that makes a big difference..
Irish players turn and face the flag in the Aviva during Amhrann na Bhfiann, are the opposition expected to as well? I’ve seen teams in Croke Park not face the tricolour, no outrage? Head down and eyes closed is a mark of respect, just not the traditional one. I’m not McClean’s biggest fan, but this is a ridiculous storm in a teacup.
you don’t seem to get it Rob. the Americans played the National Anthem of the country where WBA are from. McLean plays for WBA. The examples you are quoting are when members of the opposition don’t respect the Anthem. a completely different thing altogether.
My point is that they’re not disrespecting the anthem, it’s not their anthem so they politely acknowledge it rather than facing the flag and belting it out. McClean did the same thing.
playing the anthem was very strange, the world is too full of yes men, I don’t agree with disagreement for the sake of it but clearly he feels strongly about it and nobody should be forced to respect any anthem if they don’t want to
I do see where he’s coming from but he could make it less obvious. Maybe face the flag but keep his head down.
He shouldn’t play for English club really I mean I agree with and Understand James’s reasons but it’s keep popping up at him.. Also if some English player was playing in Ireland and doing the same we wouldn’t want him here.. Finally what i would say is why are they having the national anthem played before friendly games especially since most EPL teams are made up of foreigners..
I’m genuinely confused about this one – so can I ask all those who feel strongly that he was right to do something which he must have known some would find disrespectful – if that is how you feel about a nation, how can you live, earn, bring up kids etc there? It’s not like he wouldn’t have a significant need of other options.
As an EU citizen he is free to work wherever he wishes in Europe and maintain his own national identity without the need to apply for or meet the conditions for UK citizenship. There is no reason why he should be expected to stand to attention to the UK national anthem while at work. Why force your anthem on someone who doesnt want to be a citizen of your country?
Ok thanks – but he doesn’t have to become citizen. And I agree no
One should have to listen to the anthem
Of the country you work in every day. The question is though, as you say, he can choose to live anywhere, but why choose to live in a country you have no respect for?
I understood (after his letter) his poppy views and don’t agree that people should have to wear any political symbol. . But Like I said I genuinely struggle with this one.
What are talking about? Just because you dont want to face a flag that doesnt represent you and stand to attention for an anthem that means nothing to you doesnt mean you dont respect that that country. Why should he have to be force fed the anthem if he isnt British.
I lived in England for a while and I didn’t and still don’t respect the anthem or the royal family, they are an anachronistic affront to modern meritocracy. plenty of my English friends think the same. they are an inbred pack of self preserving magpies, who got rid of their German name in WW 1 and did a bunk during world war 2. I wouldn’t have respected the apartheid era south African anthem either for example
Augustus I don’t fully understand your query either, so you think everyone who works in England should agree with the concept of royalty and sing out the royal anthem? if McLean wanted to make a decent living out of soccer he was actually very limited in where he could go. the continental leagues don’t value strong running wingers of McLean’s ilk. and Ireland doesn’t have sufficient full time football. besides England is a good country to do well in but that still doesn’t mean that a lot of atrocities weren’t perpetrated against McLean’s community in the name of the queen
God save our James McClean/Long live our James McClean/God save McClean/Send us victorious/His tricks are glorious/Long to score goals for us/God save McClean.”
The guy is under contract to play football not to turn and face a flag.
It’s probably done and dusted now -Pulis doesn’t take much guff from his players
I wonder would he make a fool of us if we got England in a qualifier. Even the Poles stood for the German anthem at the world cup.
If he had just stood there like the rest of his team-mates and not done anything out of the ordinary then absolutely no one would have noticed anything different. It wouldn’t be an issue. No one asked him to clap or cheer for it.
I understand where he’s coming from given his background, etc, but plenty of Irish sportspeople from a nationalist background have had to stand for that anthem over the years. What makes him so special?
Be interesting if he played in a FA cup final what would he do if William was shaking the players hands.. I can’t see him ever playing in one anyway will never be in a team good enough to get a chance..
Also we do expect unionists to respect Amhrain na bhfiain when they play for Ireland at home in the rugby (and would be disgusted if they took steps to show they did not respect it).
I don’t expect unionists to do anything. sure didn’t we have to come up with a pc anthem for them anyway that is truly terrible. Ulster unionists routinely have stood away from the rest of the team and refused to acknowledge amhrain na bhfiain throughout the years
Maybe he should think of plying his trade in another country get away from the bullshit that surrounds the poppy fascists and that craic and it may actually improve his game to play in one of Europe’s top league if a team wanted to sign him.
Eh he’s shite! Wouldn’t get a look in in any of Europe’s top leagues. Be realistic here!
Black guys in his team lived in English citys when they faced bombing from the ira don’t hear them bringing up the past? Is it only white people he has a problem with
What you waffling on about there sonny?
What a bizarre conclusion to come to.
McClean has his views and beliefs. The footballing world are aware of these and should respect them. Fair play to a lad who stands for what he believes.
He’s is right to stand up for what he believes in. He was brought up in the height of the troubles in Derry and more than likely he has seen family members and friends killed by the British. He doesn’t have to face any flag if he doesn’t want to, be it irish, English or otherwise.
no he doesn’t
James is a martyr to the cause. Why he needs to do this though is only for him to decide. What he has ended up doing though is entering a political arena when really he is only a footballer. Maybe he should change his profession to politics. Unfortunately this may put his career in serious jeopardy and this act of defiance will have absolutely no impact on anyone but himself. So why bother. I do see his logic with the wearing of the poppy and would support him on this one however standing or not for a national anthem doesn’t make sense. Maybe he could turn his back on the Bosnia anthem in support of szebrenica next time the Republic play them or turn his back on the German flag after their contribution to the Second World War. Where do you stop? My suggestion is look after yourself James. There are many out there very willing to exploit your every move.