He played hurling with his local club Glenmore and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.
At this level he won a Leinster title in 1984 before collecting an All-Ireland medal following a defeat of Tipperary.
In 1988 he was appointed captain of the senior team, however, Kilkenny's hurlers were facing a low period.
The following year Walsh won his fourth provincial medal and lined out in a third All-Ireland final.
It was a case of third time lucky as Kilkenny defeated their biggest rivals Cork, giving Walsh an All-Ireland medal.