Tommy Walsh set to return for Kerry in January

Eamonn Fitzmaurice has confirmed the return of Tommy Walsh to the Kerry fold. The Kerry manager says that Walsh will play with Kerry in the McGrath Cup against IT Tralee in January.

Walsh played 15 times for Kerry between 2007 and 2009, scoring 4-23 before heading to Australia in late 2009 and signing for St Kilda. In 2011, he moved to the Sydney Swans, where injury blighted his AFL career. Now aged 26, he resumes his football career with Kerry and his return in the wake of Declan O Sullivan's departure could not be timelier.

Meanwhile, five-time All-Ireland medal winner Marc Ó Sé confirmed via social media late last week that he intends to continue to line out with the Kerry in 2015.

New jersey

After the launch of the new Kerry jersey, Ó Sé said on Twitter that “I will have to give the new jersey a run-out in 2015 and see how it feels”

When pressed further as to whether he would be looking to overtake his brother Tomás’s championship appearance record, Marc confirmed this return. “I won’t be too worried about his record, but looking forward to a long year hopefully.”

Ó Sé made his 80th championship appearance in the All-Ireland final against Donegal and he lies just one behind his brother Darragh, and eight shy of Tomás, who holds the national record. Marc and Colm Cooper are the longest serving members of the Kerry panel, having both made their senior championship debuts in 2002.

It is expected that Aidan O’Mahony will be out for three months and James O’Donoghue might not return until May, but the expected return of Cooper in March and the news regarding Walsh provides a big boost to Kerry. Ballyhale have confirmed they have nominated Joey Holden as Kilkenny senior hurling captain for next year.