Kilkerrin/Clonberne had to make do without Shane Walsh, with the wantaway star nowhere to be seen as Galway intermediate football championship got underway on Friday evening.
The Galway hero sent shockwaves through the GAA a couple of weeks ago when it was revealed that he wanted of to leave his home club Kilkerrin/Clonberne and join up with Dublin giants Kilmacud Crokes.
Despite being named at number 14 in the Championship program, which was printed before Walsh's request became public, the 29-year old played no part in Kilkerrin/Clonberne's one point victory over Headfort at Tuam Stadium.
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Walsh, who kicked nine points in this years All Ireland final just days before news broke of his handing in of a transfer request, has cited personal reasons as playing a big role in him wanting to make the move.
Yet, the transfer is not yet complete. It is understood that Kilkerrin/Clonberne strongly oppose the move, with chairman Ian Hynes telling multiple media outlets that the club intends to fight tooth and nail to convince Walsh to stay with the small rural club.
“We believe it is wrong that a huge club like Kilmacud Crokes are allowed to do this," Hynes told the Irish Independent last month.
"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.
Walsh himself has confirmed that he wishes to join Crokes in a statement released on his behalf. In the statement, Walsh explains how difficult the travel has been on his body, and how he feels he needs to make this switch in order to prolong his career.
The Galway icon has been living in Dublin since returning to college last year, where he is working towards a degree in physical education.
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