Triple All-Ireland champion and All-Star Grace Walsh announced her retirement from intercounty camogie this week, ending a 14-year career with Kilkenny.
"Sin é but still some incredible memories made with a special group of friends. Up the Cats always," the star shared over social media.
Walsh had spoken with Her Sport in 2022, after Kilkenny shook off a string of disappointing losses to defeat Cork in the final.
"It comes from pride and passion, always wanting to do better," she shared at the time. "We were all mentally drained because it was such a close game and it was so tough, and it came off the back of an extremely tough semi-final against Galway as well. It was pure elation and excitement and relief."
Walsh's departure will be a steep loss to her teammates, the bond with whom, she consistently shared, was what drove them all to do better.
"When you're playing a team sport, you wanna do your best for the other people that are players on the team. That's where the drive and passion comes from. We've learned, definitely as a group, that nothing comes easy."
In the end, though, Walsh's excellence is also rooted in an even smaller community:
"You're always proud to represent your county, but I suppose what you're actually doing is representing your club. And with your club, especially mine, Tullaroan, we're very small, so we're a very close-knit community. That's where you grew up, that's where you learned how to play, and when you play on your county team, you're representing your club. It's an honour to represent your club and county team."
Watch Her Sport's interview with Walsh on our YouTube channel here.
