Kilkenny teammates, Munster opponents and Gaelic footballers all pay tribute to Tommy Walsh

Henry Shefflin, Eddie Brennan, Padraic Maher, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Aidan O’Mahony are some of those heaping praise on the Kilkenny hurler who retired today.

Tommy Walsh is lifted shoulder high by the crowd Tommy Walsh is lifted high by the crowd after the 2009 All-Ireland final. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Updated 16.25pm

ONE OF THE most decorated hurlers in the history of the game has called it a day this morning.

Tommy Walsh leaves with a shed load of hurling honours and he’s left an indelible mark on the game.

There’s a lot of praise coming his way from Kilkenny hurling royalty.

Henry Shefflin

Tommy was + is an inspiration to all KK hurling + beyond. Small man massive heart #Legend #spirit#friend 👏👏👏
— Henry Shefflin (@ShefflinHenry) November 20, 2014

Henry Shefflin / Twitter

Eddie Brennan

Sad day for kk hurling but tommy walsh's retirement should be a celebration of his superb career so many highs a real gladiator #tommywalsh
— Eddie Brennan (@NedzerB13) November 20, 2014

Eddie Brennan / Twitter

JJ Delaney

Congrats Tommy on an unbelievable career. Played with heart, spirit and skill #TW5 #legend
— JJ Delaney (@JJDelaney82) November 20, 2014

JJ Delaney / Twitter

Aidan Fogarty

The gladiator has called it a day. #TW5 words just don't do him justice. #legend
— Aidan Fogarty (@taggykk) November 20, 2014

Aidan Fogarty / Twitter

Richie Power

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Michael Kavanagh

#tw5 @KilkennyCLG pound for pound best hurler I ever seen ,not make them like him anymore ,honour to played and soldiered behind him for yrs
— Michael kavanagh (@michaeljkav) November 20, 2014

Michael kavanagh / Twitter

TJ Reid

It's a sad day to see Tommy walsh not wearing the black & amber kilkenny jersey anymore. Happy retirement#legend#thegreatest#teamplayer
— TJ Reid (@_tjreid) November 20, 2014

tjreid12 / Twitter

Tommy Walsh and Eddie Brennan toast the 2011 All-Ireland triumph. Cathal Noonan Cathal Noonan

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Those opponents who squared up to Walsh on the field have sending out messages of praise and best wishes for the Tullaroan man.

Eoin Cadogan (Cork)

One of the best all rounders that played the game.incredible in the air&never backed down from anyone.Brian Gavin can sleep easy now😄#tw5
— Eoin Cadogan (@cads3) November 20, 2014

Eoin Cadogan / Twitter

Gavin O’Mahony (Limerick)

"A small man but a mighty man" #tw5
— Gavin O Mahony (@gavinom6) November 20, 2014

Gavin O Mahony / Twitter

Cahir Healy (Laois)

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Padraic Maher (Tipperary)

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Padraic Maher get's away from Tommy Walsh Padraic Maher gets away from Tommy Walsh during the 2010 All-Ireland final. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Noel Connors (Waterford)

#TommyWalsh a person I always admired, passionate, humble and a warrior. Significant loss for the #GAA a true gent, but what a hurler #TW5
— Noel Connors (@NoelieConnors) November 20, 2014

Noel Connors / Twitter

Brian Carroll (Offaly)

Best of luck in retirement Tommy. A true hurling great. Had it all. We had great tussles in @KieransCollege back all those years ago #TW5
— Brian Carroll (@BrianCarroll13) November 20, 2014

Brian Carroll / Twitter

Wayne McNamara (Limerick)

The hurling world will be a lesser place without the likes of Tommy Walsh. An incredible hurler, competitor & inspiration #legend #TW5
— Wayne McNamara (@waggymc) November 20, 2014

Wayne McNamara / Twitter

John O’Dwyer (Tipperary)

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Diarmuid O’Sullivan (Cork)

so Tommy Timber has called it a day...a cheeky little bastard but could he hurl ! big loss to the game #TW5
— Diarmuid O'Sullivan (@dsully3) November 20, 2014

Diarmuid O'Sullivan / Twitter

Diarmuid O'Sullivan with Tommy Walsh Diarmuid O'Sullivan in action against Tommy Walsh in the 2005 Cork senior hurling semi-final. INPHO INPHO

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And there’s plenty Gaelic footballers who were big fans of Walsh over the years as well.

Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry)

Loved watching that great Kilkenny team play.tommy walsh was my favourite. Like a wasp he was. Class act.medals and gongs to boot..
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) November 20, 2014

Tomas o se / Twitter

Darran O’Sullivan (Kerry)

Wow Tommy Walsh of @KilkennyCLG has retired.One of my favourite hurlers, absolute legend of the game he's going out with some haul of medals
— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) November 20, 2014

Darran O'Sullivan / Twitter

Mark McHugh (Donegal)

Tommy Walsh was my favourite hurler! A pure ruthless winner and could be played anywhere on a pitch! Loved watching him play..#inspiration
— Mark McHugh (@MarkMcHugh1) November 20, 2014

Mark McHugh / Twitter

Aidan O’Mahony (Kerry)

I'd say there could be an army headn 4 Tommy Walshs house again to bring him out of retirement #Baller#Warrior#Hero pic.twitter.com/ciMP84v2hG
— . (@altsbyaddidas) November 20, 2014

Aidan O Mahony / Twitter

Kilkenny teammates, Munster opponents and Gaelic footballers all pay tribute to Tommy Walsh

Henry Shefflin

Eddie Brennan

JJ Delaney

Aidan Fogarty

Richie Power

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Michael Kavanagh

TJ Reid

Eoin Cadogan (Cork)

Gavin O’Mahony (Limerick)

Cahir Healy (Laois)

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Padraic Maher (Tipperary)

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Noel Connors (Waterford)

Brian Carroll (Offaly)

Wayne McNamara (Limerick)

John O’Dwyer (Tipperary)

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Diarmuid O’Sullivan (Cork)

Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry)

Darran O’Sullivan (Kerry)

Mark McHugh (Donegal)

Aidan O’Mahony (Kerry)

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