Shane Walsh was influential for Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes as they defeated Downs 1-12 to 0-07 to reclaim the Leinster Senior Football title.
The Galway forward scored 0-09 to add a provincial title to what has been an incredible year in his first season for the south Dublin side.
The transfer of Shane Walsh had thrown up some controversy at the time, with the All-Ireland runners up extremely fortunate to be claiming the services of the talented forward., who was a key part of the Galway side that reached the All-Ireland final, where they were defeated by Kerry.
Speaking to TG4 after receiving his Man of the Match award, Shane Walsh paid tribute to his teammates, who will be eager to go one better after last season's heart-breaking defeat to Kilcoo.
Lán Ama
“No one has taken their eye off the ball at all”
Is é Shane Walsh Laoch na hImeartha inniu!
Taispeáinteas den scoth ó Shane inniu le 9 pointe - Comhghairdeas leat Shane!#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @gaaleinster | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/bZ5Df8ncon— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 4, 2022
"We did a lot of homework on them, the same as any other opposition, we knew to start well because that would just feed them if we were to turnover the ball or make mistakes.
In fairness to the lads, everyone started well. Shane knocked in the ball from my little assist. We got on top of the fundamentals of the game and the basics we did very well. All that together makes a very good performance.
If you get off to a good start, all you have to do is follow in and grow behind it. I thought the backs were excellent today to keep it at one score. It's great to produce that performance in a Leinster final."
As It Happened
In a first half that Kilmacud Crokes handled with ease, they had the only goal of the game after just four minutes, when Shane Walsh saw his attempt drop just short and was fisted into the net by Shane Cunningham.
4 nóim@KCrokesGAAClub 1-01@TheDownsGAA 0-00
Tús iontach dos Na Crócaigh! - Shane Cunninham le Cúl luath!
Kilmacud Crokes start with a bang! 👌#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @gaaleinster | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/lyEPWCfr8X— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 4, 2022
Kilmacud Crokes kicked some excellent scores in the first-half, with Shane Walsh among the highlight of the scores, while a stubborn defence reduced the Westmeath side to just one point in the first half.
49 nóim@KCrokesGAAClub 1-11@TheDownsGAA 0-04
Luke Loughlin le pointe eile dos Na Dúnta!
Loughlin gets a third point in-a-row for his side!#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @gaaleinster | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/vQp4KZUVWe— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 4, 2022
Although there was some improvement from Downs in the second half that saw them kick some excellent scores, it was too little too last as the Dublin champions marched on to get one step closer to another All-Ireland title.
SEE ALSO: Ballyhale Survive Incredible Kilmacud Crokes Fightback To Win Leinster Final
