Star forward Shane Walsh has left the entire Galway GAA community in shock after requesting a transfer to join Dublin and Leinster giants Kilmacud Crokes.
The 29-year old, who scored nine points in last week's All-Ireland final in one of the great losing performances in the history of the competition, has informed his home club Kilkerrin/Clonberne that he wishes to line-out for the Stillorgan based club.
Walsh would strengthen a Kilmacud Crokes side that made it all the way to the All-Ireland club final earlier this year before losing in heartbreaking fashion to Kilcoo in extra-time.
In joining the club, Walsh would form a formidable partnership up front with multiple All-Ireland winner for Dublin Paul Mannion.
The Irish Independent reports that Kilkerrin/Clonberne chairman Ian Hynes confirmed that Walsh is requesting a transfer.
“We are absolutely devastated. We have tried to persuade him to stay and nothing has been formally signed yet," said Hynes.
“We are going to fight this all the way. We recognise that Shane has given the club loyal service, but he is such an inspirational figure for all the young players coming through. Everybody here is in shock, particularly the juvenile players because he was such to hero to them.
“We believe it is wrong that a huge club like Kilmacud Crokes are allowed to do this. We are trying to keep the GAA alive in rural Ireland. We have 70 adult members and there are 600 houses in the parish.”
Hynes stressed how Walsh's departure could be catastrophic for the club. According to the chairman, one of the main incentives for young players to keep going with the club was the chance at playing with their hero one day.
“The big carrot for the younger players was the prospect of playing alongside Shane in the adult team.
“From a club prospective it is shocking, but there are wider implications for the GAA as well. The Dublin club scene is a different world to what’s happening in rural Ireland.
“They are drawing players from densely populated areas whereas as I said earlier there are just 600 houses in our parish,” added Hynes.
Kilkerrin/Clonberne compete in the Galway Intermediate Championship and have reached finals in recent years.
Kilmacud however operate in a completely different stratosphere and are the reigning Dublin Champions and All Ireland runners-up. Should Walsh's transfer be confirmed in the coming days, he will be able to play for Crokes in the Dublin Senior Championship which gets under way next week.
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