Miriam Walsh: 'Your hard work does pay off if you put it in'

Michael Bolton

After winning three All-Ireland senior camogie titles, Kilkenny's Miriam Walsh has decided to call time on her inter-county career.

The Kilkenny forward enjoyed a decorated spell in the black and yellow of her county, though injuries ultimately took their toll.

After some consideration, the former Player of the Year decided that now was the right time to step away from the game, especially with exciting times ahead outside of sport.

“It has been hard, but I suffered two cruciate injuries towards the end of my career, so the body was kind of giving up. I'm expecting my first child, so I have other things to look forward to now.

“When I got Player of the Year in 2022, I thought my career was only starting at 26 years of age. Unfortunately, I then suffered two cruciate injuries, back to back.

"There was part of me thinking, ‘Will I give it another go?’ But to be honest, the body was giving in.

“That was so tough mentally and really hard, but I try not to focus on that. I'm happy that I reached the pinnacle with the Player of the Year award, the All-Stars, and the All-Irelands. I try to look back on my career with a smile.”

In 2022, it seemed like nothing could go wrong for Walsh, who was instrumental in Kilkenny’s success in winning the All-Ireland title.

For Walsh, it was a game against Galway that made her realise what she was capable of, with that confidence driving her county to glory.

"I remember back in 2022, we played Galway in our opener, and I was marking Sarah Dervan—she was probably the best back in the country.

"I got 2-2 off her that day, and from there on, I was unmarkable that year. I remember going into the All-Ireland final, saying to myself, ‘There is no one marking me today,’ and that was the mindset I had.

"I won the vital free at the end of the All-Ireland final to secure the match. Your hard work does pay off if you put it in. It doesn't happen overnight—I was on the team since 2016, and I hit my peak in 2022."

Walsh comes from a family full of talent, with cousins Tommy and Grace providing Kilkenny fans with plenty of memorable moments over the years.

For now, recovering from injury and preparing for her new arrival will be her priorities in the months ahead.

“I'm already looking forward to going back playing club—I can't wait.

“We're up senior now, and we’ve been reaching the quarter-final stages every year, but this year, I'm ready for action. I can't wait for it to come around. I'm due to finish my knee rehab in September.

"So, I'm hoping to be back with the club in September—that’d be nice.”