DAVITT WALSH has returned to the Ulster Senior League squad for this afternoon’s FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament clash with Connacht.
Last night in Dublin, Walsh was presented with the Michael Heffernan Gold Medal for Marine Gallantry.
At a function in Farmleigh House, Walsh was presented with the award by the Transport Minister, Shane Ross.
The honour was in recognition of his “bravery at huge peril to his own safety to risk life, in an effort to save the life of a child”.
In March, Walsh saved four-month-old baby Rionaghac-Ann McGrotty when he dived into the water at Buncrana harbour.
Six members of the family were trapped in a car that slid into Lough Swilly. Five members of the family lost their lives: the baby’s father Sean McGrotty, her two brothers Mark and Evan, her grandmother Ruth Daniels, and her 14-year-old aunt Jodie Lee Daniels.
Walsh carried little Rionaghac-Ann to safety and has been hailed as a hero in the weeks and months since.
The Fanad United striker says that football has been ‘a release’. He was given a guard of honour when he made his return to action for Fanad in a game against Derry City Reserves at Triagh-A-Locha in April.
Walsh left Dublin after last night’s ceremony to go to Cork to join with his USL team-mates, who defeated Leinster 3-1 in the opening game of the Tournament with goals by Mark Moran, Paul McVeigh and Ryan Varma.
Joint captain Walsh is back in the squad today as the USL face Connacht at Douglas Hall (kick-off 1.30pm).
“Football is a massive help for me in dealing with everything,” Walsh said.
“It’s been a very difficult thing to deal with and been a very traumatic experience, the whole thing. Life won’t ever be the same, but you have to try and be normal and just get on with things.
“Playing football with Fanad and even this weekend going to Cork for the Interpros, it’s all a release and it’s brilliant for me. Football has been huge for me in the last few months.”
USL manager Peter Moran said of Walsh: “He’s fabulous to have around the dressing room. He’s an inspirational man. He’s a fine player too. I had Davitt at Derry City Under-21s about ten years ago and know him well. I’m delighted to have him in the squad this weekend.”
Results – FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament
Ulster Senior League 3 Leinster Senior League 1
Munster Senior League 1 Connacht 0
Fixtures
Saturday, October 15
1.30pm
Ulster Senior League v Connacht Douglas Hall
3.30pm
Munster Senior League v Leinster Senior LeagueO’Shea Park, Blarney
Sunday, October 16, 10.45am
Leinster Senior League v Connacht Ringmahon Park
Munster Senior League v Ulster Senior League Turner’s Cross
