Aidan Walsh torn between playing football or hurling next season

Aidan Walsh is still torn between playing either football or hurling with Cork next season, having already decided to end to his dual status at senior intercounty level.

Walsh will make his preference known to the respective Cork managers in the coming days, although the expectation is he will commit to Brian Cuthbert’s football panel for 2015, having tried to play both codes this season. Previously, Walsh had concentrated on football only.

“It’s been very, very hard,” says Walsh. “I’ve been to-ing and fro-ing the last few weeks. I suppose it’s kind of a good position to be in. I’m very fortunate and lucky to play hurling and football, but it’s very hard in that whoever you don’t play with, you’re going to miss out on a lot. Fellas that you’d know very well.

Hard decision

“I just know for my own sake that I have to pick one, because this year, I wasn’t happy with the way things turned out. It was a hard decision. It’ll be another few days before I get it out there, I’d say.

“But I’m certainly glad I tried it, this summer. If I didn’t do it, I’d probably look back and say ‘why didn’t I try it?’ There were definitely a lot of highs. I came out with a Munster hurling medal. Cork hadn’t won one in eight years, and to be involved in it was a great day. But there were probably more lows than highs, with the way it all worked out.

“I just thought, once I got to the All-Ireland series, it was crazy. To get the proper preparation, for say the All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Tipp, two weeks’ hurling wasn’t enough. After we won the Munster hurling, I went to football and played Sligo and Mayo and you’re really trying to give 100 per cent.

“But then you lose that and you have to go and concentrate on the hurling. It just wasn’t enough and you’re just codding yourself really. It’s going to catch up with you eventually.

“I gave it the best I could, but it just wasn’t enough at the end of it.”

More challenging

In the meantime, Walsh is primed for another go with Ireland and next months’ International Rules series, although he’s certainly expecting a far more challenging game from the Australians this time.

“Definitely. They’re a proud country. That was probably a bit embarrassing for them last year and the heaviest defeat they’ve had in a long time.

“No doubt that this year will be a big difference. They’ll do their best to try to win it. When it’s one test as well, it’ll be a big thing. The Aussies have also picked their strongest panel, so that’ll have more people wanting to go to see it and see the best players.”