ALL-IRELAND WINNING footballer Tommy Walsh is set to make his AFL debut with Sydney Swans this weekend.

The Swans host Melbourne at the SCG on Saturday and head coach John Longmire has confirmed the Kerry native will feature in the forward line.

Walsh moved from St Kilda to Tadhg Kennelly’s former club during the off-season, having departed Tralee in 2009.

The one-time Young Footballer of the Year told the franchise’s website that he’s delighted to get his shot at last.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do since I got here (in Australia), so it’s been two-and-a-half years and there have been bad times and good times in that, but it’s just great to finally get off the mark and get my first game,” he said.

“There were times where I felt like it was never going to happen, but I knew I just had to stick with it and keep believing that it was going to come.

“Horse (Swans coach John Longmire) and everyone else at the Swans have been very supportive and they’ve been telling me exactly what I’ve needed to do to get a game and put down a plan for me, and I was able to stick to that. It’s all come together now and I’m just really, really excited for the weekend and I can’t wait to get out there.”

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