TOMMY WALSH MADE his Sydney Swans debut wearing the number 17, a not-too-subtle reminder of the shoes which he has to fill if he is to become the side’s next legendary Kerryman.
Walsh was handed the shirt made famous by friend and neighbour Tadhg Kennelly as the Swans began their pre-season campaign with a NAB Cup double-header in Melbourne today.
Kennelly, who made almost 200 appearances for Sydney over ten years, hung up his Aussie Rules boots at the end of last season but asked Walsh to carry on wearing the team’s number 17.
Sydney got off to a winning start against St Kilda, Walsh’s former employers, taking advantage of a second-half collapse to coast to a 59-29 win.
But Walsh struggled to make an impact on his first appearance since switching clubs on trade deadline day in October. He only had two touches in the entire game, both of which came in the second half.
Sydney lost 29-13 against the Geelong Cats in the second game of today’s double-header.
