Kilkenny legend Tommy Walsh excited by young Limerick hurlers

Speaking to the Newstalk Off the Ball team the 9-time All-Ireland winners says that the current crop at Limerick are the most exciting he has seen in a while.

“I think, as regards young teams coming with promise, that we don’t know a lot about, I think this is the most exciting Limerick team we’ve seen in a good number of years.

Walsh spoke highly of under 21 All-Ireland winners Kyle Hayes and Aaron Gillane in particular.

“We saw them last year. I was so impressed. I suppose I love the traditional centre-back – the way they catch the ball and clear it – all game long. Kyle Hayes, I can’t wait to see him this year. He was a brilliant player for Limerick last year in the under-21.”

“You have their free-taker Gillane, all great Championship teams have had brilliant free-takers.”

“The day is gone I suppose when in the early 2000’s, probably ’90s – if you were a ‘seven out of ten’. free-taker – you were a brilliant free-taker. Now, with the way the ball is – and the time that’s put into the game now – a ‘nine out of ten’ free-taker is what you need now and Gillane seems to be that guy.

“I always thought the best teams – their free-taker mightn’t be playing well but you look at his name after the game is over: 1-7, 1-9, 2-5 and you mightn’t have even noticed him much during the game and with Gillane – Limerick have a player like that now.”

Limerick face into a massive clash with All-Ireland champions Galway this Sunday in Division 1B of the National Hurling League. The winner will gain promotion to the top tier of league hurling. The game throws in at Pearse Stadium at 2.30pm.

John Kiely’s side are undefeated this season and have already tasted silverware – albeit in the Munster Hurling League.

“It’s time for them to get hurling with the top 6 counties in Ireland and really drive on.” said Walsh.