GAA:Kerry forward Tommy Walsh has signed a two-year contract with Australian Rules side St Kilda and will leave for Australia in the coming weeks to begin pre-season training with the Melbourne club.
“I’m very excited. I’m glad all the speculation is over and I’m looking forward to going over to the Saints,” said Walsh. “It was a very tough decision but it was just too good an opportunity to pass up.
“I got a lot of support from fellow club and county players, family and friends in Kerry. I’m not under any illusions about what’s ahead and hopefully it will work out.”
Walsh had a trial with the AFL outfit last December but still had one eye on the domestic campaign back home.
“I met the first-team coach, the captain Nick Riewoldt and some of the players and felt comfortable from the start but I was really focused on committing to my club Kerins O’Rahilly’s and also to Kerry for the 2009 season,” he added.
“We are very pleased. Tommy Walsh is one of the most credentialed players to come out of Ireland,” said Matthew Drain from St Kilda. “While he faces hard work to adapt to AFL at the highest level, we are confident that what we have seen of him proves he has enormous talent to become an important player for St Kilda.”
“Essentially, the Tommy Walsh deal has taken place as a first round draft pick, based on his size, ability and credentials. He is very agile for his height”
Drain arrived in Kerry on Sunday to discuss final details with Walsh and his family before signing the two-year contract at Walsh’s home in Tralee today.