When he was 18 years old, the in-demand Aidan Walsh played for 19 different teams across both codes for school, club and county.
That period of his life feels like a lifetime ago – later this month it will be half his lifetime when the 2010 All-Ireland winner turns 36 – as these days he is embedded across county bounds and making a return to Croke Park with An Ghaeltacht.
Just the one team, with a lofty ambition to achieve a maiden All-Ireland intermediate title.
"If you told me last year I was going back to Croke Park, I would have said not a hope. If you told me I was coming for a Kerry club, I would have said that definitely wouldn't be the case," he told RTÉ Sport.
One of the last of a dying breed, Walsh flew the dual inter-county flag for as long as he could.
Silverware was collected in both codes at underage with Cork, but it was the big ball where he really made his name, picking up a Young Footballer of the Year award and landing Sam Maguire in a memorable 2010.
He played for both Cork hurlers and footballers in 2014, juggling a few seasons with both before the demands became too great. His omission from the Cork hurling panel in 2020 hit hard, but it allowed him to channel that frustration in a more positive manner with Kanturk.
Ambitions of helping the club to senior level in both codes were realised in 2022, but his own circumstances were changing. Based in west Kerry with his partner Doireann and their son Macdara, there was a nagging sense that despite the commitment to the club, it wasn't sustainable.
Having initially started to train with An Ghaeltacht to reduce the road miles, the thoughts of making the switch gathered pace.
"I suppose it was kind of in my head for the last year, especially with my son getting older (four)," he said.
"When I was growing up, when I was his age, my father, the biggest influence on my career, was finishing up playing for Kanturk.
"I always remember going to his games. I always loved to hear stories about when he was playing. Coming through the ranks for the club, I used to make my father proud. I was lucky enough that he was involved as manager and selector throughout the years when I was playing.
"The biggest thing for me is after the final whistle, just to have Macdara, to see him run out to the field. I'm lucky enough that I've achieved a lot, but they're the big moments for me, to see my son, see him happy, just seeing the joy on his face."
Avoiding injury has helped ensure Walsh’s contributions from the middle of the pitch have been central to their journey to Corke Park.
Last Sunday’s extraordinary semi-final win over Sallins will have solidified the already strong bond between players and supporters.
In a cagey extra-time period, when the board indicated one minute of additional time, Sallins were a point to the good. When they snaffled An Ghaeltacht's restart they were on the brink of Croke Park themselves, but were penalised for fouling the ball and then further punished with a 50-metre advancement.
Éanna Ó Conchúir decided to go for broke by bringing it outside the arc, and duly delivered when it was needed most.
Walsh, who boomed over a two-pointer of his own earlier in the contest, said the feel-good factor, especially with Daingean Uí Chúis advancing to the senior decider in similarly dramatic circumstances is infectious.
"Everyone's behind the team," he said. "The support from outside the group has been amazing. The last few days have been unbelievable.
"Everyone's just so excited about it, especially with Dingle down the road in their position as well in the senior final. There's just a great buzz."
Walsh will complete a unique All-Ireland intermediate double if An Ghaletacht prevail on Sunday, adding to the 2018 hurling title with Kanturk.
These are days to be savoured according to Walsh, who has more than four years to spare over the next oldest player on the team.
"The big thing is to enjoy the day," he said. "People get too bogged down, too serious about everything.
"Before we know it, it'll be this day next week, and everything will be over. The biggest thing is to grab it properly and enjoy it as much as we can."
The only occasion when Walsh feels remotely like an outsider is when his limited grasp of Irish comes to the fore among gaeilgeoirs. It’s more likely to be an issue during training drills than on match-day, but even if the Cork native doesn’t get every single instruction, he is more than comfortable with what is expected of him.
"It would have been a lot harder for me if I was 20 years of age, but with the experience I have now, it’s definitely a lot easier," he said.
"I know myself what I need to do. I have a fair idea of what they're talking about when they're discussing tactics. It's not rocket science. I always try to focus on what I need to be doing for the team, so I don't get bogged down if there's something I don't understand,
"I just think about what I need to be doing, so I won't get too worried about that."
Walsh has never been a loud voice before matches – "I don't have much time for people that are the big talkers in the dressing room" – and that is not going to change at GAA HQ.
Shorn the likes of Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Cathal Ó Beaglaoich from the start in the semi-final – the pair came on to make telling contributions – the panel strength has been tested, with one last examination coming from Derry’s Glenullin.
Despite the tense nature of their extra-time success, Walsh dismisses the notion that it will be difficult to get back up again from that emotional high.
"It's very easy really, there's nothing negative," he said.
"We went into the game last week with a lot of niggles, we're coming through this week with a lot of niggles again.
"Hopefully by Sunday we'll be in better shape and we'll see how things go, but we're in a privileged position, so that's the message for everyone in the group - don't feel sorry for yourself, this is going to be a massive game Sunday, make the most of it."
