Family values to the core as Grace Walsh looks back on life in Camogie

Grace Walsh will become the latest in a long list of Kilkenny players to be featured on TG4’s hugely popular Laochra Gael series when her episode airs on Thursday night. - HEAR A SHOT INTERVIEW WITH GRACE HERE

The Tullaroan star won three All-Ireland titles with the Cats and speaking ahead of this week’s programme, she outlined her thoughts about being featured.

“Initially when you are doing something like this you are always a bit nervous and wondering whether you should do it or not but it was obviously a huge honour to be asked and when you look back at some of the players that have gone before you on the programme, you’d never really put yourself in the same bracket as them,” Walsh added.

“I’m glad I did it in the end as it was a lovely experience to go back and reminisce on all the good times and even looking back at some of the losses that we went through.

“It’s always nice to look back and reflect and I suppose see the memories you built up along the way.”

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Grace follows in the footsteps of older brother Tommy who previously feature on the series a number of years ago.

Before committing to her final decision, the former all-star defender got the thoughts of Tommy who gave her the green light to proceed.

“When I was asked about it first I did ask Tommy did he think I should do it and it’s hard to put yourself in front of a camera and talk about yourself and especially when you have been part of a team your whole life.

“That was probably the only piece of advice I got of him as I just asked what he thought and he said absolutely do it.

“The team in TG4 wanted Tommy involved and obviously he’s a huge part of my life so it was nice to have him there.

“I wasn’t nervous about my family being there as they were such a big part of my life and my journey and it was really good to have them there.”

The Walsh family is synonymous with Kilkenny GAA with Grace’s brothers Shane, Padraig and Tommy all playing with the senior team and Martin also winning an All-Ireland under-21 title for the county.

That close knit relationship with the family comes to the fore throughout the programme.

“I grew up in a house that is full of love and laughter and that’s still evident and there today.

“I think as we got older we nearly got closer and closer and I do have a special bond with all my siblings and my parents as well as the extended family.

“We all get on really well and enjoy each other’s company and they are the people that are with you on the good and bad days and they’ll back you no matter what so it was really special to have them involved in the programme,” she continued.

While Walsh has had plenty of good days in the Kilkenny jersey including being nominated for player of the year in the All-Ireland winning season of 2020, the pressure of being able to back that up came to the fore with the GAA offering support in her time of need.

“I didn’t really want to focus on it but it was hugely important to highlight that you can be really successful in all aspects of your life but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are the happiest person ever.

“I wanted to be open and honest as much as I could because that’s the real story and that’s what the journey was. I look back at those years and the 2020 season with nothing but enormous pride.

“What did come ultimately from it was that I was offered a number of opportunities on the back of the All-Ireland win and in my head I felt that others deserved those accolades more than myself.

“The pressure came from all that and I suppose me being really hard on myself and the longer the year the went on, the more it was starting to effect other parts of my life and not just my camogie so I knew I wasn’t going to be able to work through it myself.

“I was lucky the GAA offered a free service that I used for about 10 months and I’m honestly so grateful for it as it really helped in all parts of my life around that time and I got a happy ending at the end of it.”

It’s now two years since she retired from intercounty duty and Walsh is content with that decision as she moves on to the next part of her life as well as giving Tullaroan her full attention.

“I’ve never once looked back and regretted my decision after retiring with Kilkenny or maybe thinking did I make the correct decision.

“That new chapter of my life started once I retired and I’ve been very much enjoying it and as I’ve said before I don’t miss playing with Kilkenny but I do miss being around the girls all the time.

“I’m still loving being back playing with the club and being with them all the time because when you’re with Kilkenny you don’t get that time and we’ve a lot of really good girls coming through the ranks in Tullaroan.

“It’s nice to be there when they are that age too and see them evolve as players so it’s not really a new chapter for me as each day of my life is different.”

GRACE WALSH COMMENTS BELOW: