Christy Walsh (hurler)

Walsh had a long career with Kilmoyley. Despite being one of Kerry's most successful clubs^{[clarification needed]}, it looked^[when?] as if Walsh would finish his career without a Kerry Senior Hurling Championship title. In 2001 Kilmoyley qualified for the final for the first time since 1988 where they faced holders Ballyheigue. At full time Walsh received his first championship medal.^[1]

Walsh and Kilmoyley were back in the final again in 2002 where they faced Lixnaw in the final. Walsh won his second medal after defeating Lixnaw.^[2]

2003 would be another successful season for Walsh and Kimoyley. For the second season in a row, Kilmoyley and Lixnaw faced each other in the final. Walsh had his third championship medal after a 2-10 to 1-05 win.^[3]

In 2004 Walsh lined out in his fourth final in a row against Cauesway. By now he was being used as an impact substitute, and he helped his team by scoring 1-02 in a 3-15 to 2-09 win and received a fourth winner's medal.^[4]

He also lined out with Bennettsbridge in Kilkenny.^{[citation needed]}

He also played club football with Ardfert with whom he won a Kerry Junior Football Championship title in 1987. He also played with the St Brendan's Board divisional side. He was captain of the side who qualified for the 1992 Kerry Senior Football Championship final but lost out to Mid Kerry.^[5]

Walsh first joined the Kerry senior team in 1983. He was part of the side that won the 1983 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship with a win over London. Kerry went on to face Antrim in the All-Ireland Preliminary Round but lost out on a 3-13 to 2-10 scoreline.

He had little success until he won the 1986 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship with a win again over London. Kerry faced Galway in the All-Ireland quarterfinals but suffered a heavy loss.

Kerry returned to the Munster Senior Hurling Championship in 1987 for the first time since 1978. A loss to Tipperary was Walsh's only match.

A heavy loss to Limerick in the 1988 Munster Senior Hurling Championship followed as Kerry were eliminated in the first round.

The 1988–89 National Hurling League campaign was a disappointing one for Kerry heading into the championship. However, they put up a good display before going down to Limerick for the second season in a row on a 6-11 to 3-10 scoreline.^{[citation needed]}

Over the next few seasons Kerry and Walsh put in some good showings in the Munster Championship but came up short against Cork in 1990 and Waterford in 1991.

By 1993 Walsh was one of Kerry's main players. A good 1992–93 National Hurling League saw Kerry lose out in a good showing against Tipperary in the quarterfinal. In the Munster Championship Walsh's side faced Waterford. At full time Kerry had their first championship win since 1926 on a 4-13 to 3-13 scoreline.^[6] Kerry lost in the semi-final to Tipperary.

In the next few seasons Kerry put in some good displays but couldn't repeat their 1993 win and by the late 90s Walsh ended his Kerry career.

Walsh also played football at junior level with Kerry. He however had little success as a semi-final loss to Tipperary in 1988^[7] and a Munster final loss to Cork in 1989^[8] were his lot.

Walsh lined out with Munster in the Railway Cup in the 80s and 90s.

He first lined out during the 1986 staging of the championship. On that occasion Munster lost out to Connacht in the final. He lined out in 1991 where once again Munster lost out to Connacht in the final.

He was back in 1992 and again Munster made the final where they faced Ulster. A 3-13 to 1-09 win gave Walsh a winner's medal, and until 2016 he was the only Kerry player to win a medal on the field of play.^[9]