Christy Walsh was an Irish hurler who played with Kerry and Kilmoyley. He also played football with Ardfert and the Kerry Junior team during the 1980s until the 2000s.
Club
Walsh had a long career with Kilmoyley. Despite being one of Kerry's most successful clubs, it looked 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 finally got his hands on a championship medal.[1]
Walsh and co were back in the final again in 2002 where they faced Lixnaw in the final. At full time Walsh had added his second medal.[2]
2003 would be another successful season for Walsh and co. For the second season in a row Kilmoyley and Lixnaw faced each other in the final. At full time 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 sub and he made quite the impact by scoring 1-02 in a 3-15 to 2-09 win and a fourth winners medal.[4]
A disappointing 1988–89 National Hurling League campaign didn't look good for Walsh and 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.
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 seen Kerry lose out in a good showing against Tipperary in the Quarter-final. 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 were well beaten in the semi-final by Tipperary.
In the next few seasons Kerry put in some good displays but couldn't repeat their 93 win and by the late 90s Walsh had called it a day with Kerry.
Football
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.
He first lined out during the 1986 staging of the championship. On that occasion Munster lost out to Connacht in the final. He again lined out in 1991 where again Munster lost out to Connacht in the final.
He was back again in 1992 and again Munster made the final this time they faced Ulster. At full time a 3-13 to 1-09 win gave Walsh a winners medal, until 2016 he was the only Kerry player to win a medal on the field of play.[9]
Management
In retirement Walsh became involved in management in both football and hurling at club and inter-county level.
