Due to the split season, most counties' GAA club championships have finished, with plenty of stories such as Westport's historic success and a bandaged Shane Walsh winning the Dublin county final for Kilmacud Crokes. However, not all of the club's success is due to players from that area. In this list, we look through the blow ins that have helped their adopted club to victory.
GAA: Five blow-ins that won county titles in 2022
Shane Walsh - Galway - Kilamcud Crokes (Dublin)
Possibly the most well-known example, Shane Walsh won the Dublin County final with Kilmacud Crokes. He played a major role in his new club's win, kicking four points after having to go off in the first half to get a bandage around his head. The All Star winner transferred from his native club Kilkerrin-Clonberne to the Dublin based side as he is currently studying Physical Education at Portobello in the capital. Walsh stated that he moved to Kilmacud Crokes for a new challenge and that traveling to and from Galway for training was taking its toll on him. The Galway native is making a huge effort to know his club and judging by the celebrations, he has settled in nicely.
The great Kilmacud Crokes community welcoming Shane Walsh back to Glenalbyn after his late night treatment! pic.twitter.com/PJgUdKElqy
— Kilmacud Crokes GAA (@KCrokesGAAClub) October 16, 2022
Ciaran McCartan - Down - Nemo Rangers (Cork)
October was a busy month for the McCartan family as all three brothers were involved in county finals. However, whilst his brothers Cormac and Niall were preparing to take on Kilcoo in the Down Senior final, Ciaran was taking on St Finbarrs in the Cork Final. Speaking to The Irish News, Ciaran revealed why he moved to the Cork club. After graduating from university, the Down native got a job at Eli Naly, a pharmaceutical company in Cork. He would then drive up from Cork to Down for Warrenpoint's games. However, after the long commute started to affect his performances and he and his girlfriend bought a place in Cork, Ciaran decided to transfer to Nemo Rangers. He started at left half back as his team ruined rivals St Finbarr's hopes of a double. Unfortunately, Ciaran's brothers were unsuccessful as they lost to Kilcoo by a point.
Massive congrats to @NemoRangersGAA and our own @CMcCartan93 on winning the Cork Championship 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/yK1FuCpid7
— Warrenpoint GAA (@WarrenpointGAA) October 30, 2022
Kieran O'Sullivan - Kerry - Nemo Rangers (Cork)
The Cork champions also have another non-native of the rebel county. Kieran is a former Kerry minor and came off the bench to kick a vital insurance point. The Kerryman transferred to Nemo Rangers from his native club Cromane.
Former Kerry Minor, Kieran O'Sullivan from Cromane won a County Championship medal with Nemo Rangers on Sun. He came on at wing back & kicked a point. A neighbours child and a lovely young man from one of my clubs @RealtNaMaraCLG 👏good baller and what an achievement 🙌💪 pic.twitter.com/pQiE73Jw9F
— Mortimer Murphy (@MortimerMurphy1) November 1, 2022
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Owen Gallagher - Antrim - Moycullen (Galway)
The former Antrim county player joined the Galway club in late 2020. According to Belfast Live, whilst walking down Eyre Square in Galway, Gallagher was pulled over by a police car. However, it was his former manager with NUIG, Don Connelan asking if he'll attend training at Moycullen. The junior doctor showed up for the training and has enjoyed success since, winning two county titles. Beforehand, Gallagher would take the 7-hour bus trip to Antrim for Galway to play for his club Gleneavy. He played a crucial role in Moycullen's latest victory kicking the ball in that Peter Cooke fisted into the net.
Man of the Match Owen Gallagher & Goal Scorer Peter Cooke! pic.twitter.com/fSHQg1Gu2t
— Maigh Cuilinn (@maighcuilinn) October 30, 2022
Liam Shelvin - Louth - Westport (Mayo)
The former Louth intercounty star played a role in Westport's historic first ever Mayo Senior title. Shelvin transferred to the West Mayo club from his native Naomh Fionnbara last year. It is also his first senior title as he lost two Louth finals in 2012 and 2014 with Dreadnots. Liam moved to the West due to family and work commitments and started at half back on Westport's historic day. He helped his team put in a great defensive performance to restrict Stephenites to 1-6 after they scored 14 goals in their previous 4 games. Next up is a game against Owen Gallagher's Moycullen in the Connacht club championship.
SEE ALSO: David Clifford Delivers Incredible Performance As East Kerry Win Senior Kerry Championship
