Aidan Walsh

Orizio

My MOTM. What a player, two years out of Minor and he almost single-handedly destroyed the Down midfield on his own (with more then a little help from Nicolas Murphy). Gave a couple of lovely foot passes as well and the nerves he had at the beginning of the year seemed to have disapeared.

largepants

I tend to agree. Thought he was immense throughout the game. Great future ahead of him.

Orizio

I see Aidan himself has logged on to provide support to this thread, must have flown from Croker to find an internet cafe, some legend of a man...;)

Stinicker

I completly agree with Orizio, he came of age this year, He was very headless in earlier matches and I criticised him often, he was particularly bad against Kerry in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. However he really stood up today for Cork when they needed leadership and took the game to Down throughout the second half, some of his high fielding was as good as anything Daragh O'Sé or Mick O'Connell achieved.

starlit

Man of the Moment not so sure, think O'Connor or Goulding might be more deserving of that title. He played well but think the others did better.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Also my motm (see motm thread). His shooting isnt great but his all round game is superb. He was everywhere today and to think that he's just 19 is scary!

overmantle

Have to admit that I wasn't his greatest fan earlier in the season but was delighted to see him coming good.

megadodge

My MOTM definitely, but knew they'd give it to a forward (surprise surprise). He completely dominated the midfield area for the whole game, giving Cork the platform to constantly pressurise the Down defence. Some of his fielding is just a joy to behold.

I'm glad for him as the first day v Kerry he turned over his first 3 possesions very easily and I was wondering how he was playing at all, but the longer the game went on the more I thought that there was something to this young lad, he didn't hang around feeling sorry for himself he just improved bit by bit and that has been the story of his whole season - constant steady improvement (except his shooting).

I genuinely feel he will become one of the greats, barring injury etc.

SeaFields

He's the find of the championship for Counihan. Great bit of stuff. My MOTM yesterday.

damoz

He had a superb game. I too would have had big reservations of his early games against Kerry - he seemed too slow, hesitant. But it looks like he has got that out of the system (he is only a young fella) and performed great yesterday. His timing for kick outs is as good as ive seen - bar one or two he got under - and crucially he distributed the ball well too. If he doesnt get lured to Australia he will be a mainstay on the Cork team for years to come.

derickmc

damoz wrote: »

If he doesnt get lured to Australia he will be a mainstay on the Cork team for years to come.

I reckon the aussie scouts will definitely be after him. He has a serious leap, reminiscent of Teddy McCarthy, plus he has size and strength and he is the right age too.

I hope it doesn't happen. I hate seeing them pilfer any of the top GAA players.

aster99

the Aussie scouts were already after him last year

ShamoBuc

He had a fantsatic game and thankfully did not contemplate taking a shot at any stage.
He could do a Cadogan on it ( as could Sheehan) as he is a savage hurler, really impressed me yesterday.

derickmc

aster99 wrote: »

the Aussie scouts were already after him last year

Anything expected to come of it?

dring

THFC wrote: »

Also my motm (see motm thread). His shooting isnt great but his all round game is superb. He was everywhere today and to think that he's just 19 is scary!

Very surprised the RTE "experts" didn't even rate him in the top 3 or 4 , Johnno Keeffe and Jacko both gave him rave reviews, btw he is 20 (born Jan 1990), Sheehan only 19 (Nov 1990)

overmantle

dring wrote: »

Very surprised the RTE "experts" didn't even rate him in the top 3 or 4 , Johnno Keeffe and Jacko both gave him rave reviews, btw he is 20 (born Jan 1990), Sheehan only 19 (Nov 1990)

Great to see a number of young players in the Cork team, not to mention all the other young lads in the squad and the minors coming through.

shezmagic

Please God if he can steer clear of injury (and pesky AFL scouts) then Aidan Walsh can go one to become the dominant midfield player of his generation. The talent and the temperment is certainly there in abundance. His display on Sunday was fearless for a guy so young playing in an All-Ireland Final.

On the age profile of the Cork panel, I believe 18 out of the panel of 30 have played in the recent under-21 All-Ireland finals in 2006, 2007 and 2009 so in theory the future should be bright for Cork football. Hopefully the hunger is still there to push on again for more success and not to rest on the laurels of Sunday's victory.

overmantle

shezmagic wrote: »

Please God if he can steer clear of injury (and pesky AFL scouts) then Aidan Walsh can go one to become the dominant midfield player of his generation. The talent and the temperment is certainly there in abundance. His display on Sunday was fearless for a guy so young playing in an All-Ireland Final.

On the age profile of the Cork panel, I believe 18 out of the panel of 30 have played in the recent under-21 All-Ireland finals in 2006, 2007 and 2009 so in theory the future should be bright for Cork football. Hopefully the hunger is still there to push on again for more success and not to rest on the laurels of Sunday's victory.

agreed.Let's hope that the success of this season will be the spur to continue and put in a very good run in the coming years.