Every so often a player comes along and all but makes himself indispensable. In the twilight of his career, Galway's Kevin Walsh has become the very definition of that type. His selection alongside Michael Donnellan at midfield for this evening's game in Castlebar will have been a popular decision among the maroon hardcore.

In the lean years, some followers harboured a few suspicions about him similar to those reserved for Liam McHale. Walsh has an easy, fluid style like the Ballina man, has the same rangy physique and is an obvious focal point. On bad days, he was a handy guy to pick on when you felt like lashing out.

But in John O'Mahony's reign, Walsh has become the lynchpin of the team, the great calming influence. The more one scrutinises the Galway team of 1998, the greater Walsh's input seems. His contribution was subtle but constant, low-burning and solid alongside the incandescent exploits of Donnellan and Ja Fallon.

"Certainly, when I took over as manager in 1997, Kevin would have been one of the first players I approached about rejoining the squad. He is a player that is greatly respected in this province - I recall him playing with Galway as far back as 1989 and he caught my eye even then," says O'Mahony.

The manager has been commended for the manner with which he dealt with the more recent plethora of injuries that have dogged Walsh. Less sensitive treatment would have ended his career maybe even before 1998 but through nurturing, Galway have managed to prolong his term of service, using him sparingly and to great effect.

"I suppose Kevin's importance to us was best demonstrated in the drawn All-Ireland final last year when he came in after 17 minutes and we were 0-5 to 0-1 down. He caught the first ball and an assurance then seemed to spread through the whole team," explains O'Mahony.

Conversely, his early departure in the replay was, arguably, where the championship was won and lost. Time and time again, there have been examples of the fact that Walsh is all but irreplaceable. When he was forced off against Cork in the All-Ireland qualifier two weeks ago, the southern team got to grips with midfield and had a succession of late scores.

One of his great talents is that he seems to inspire others to raise their game. The Walsh-Seβn ╙ D≤mhnaill partnership was viewed with scepticism as the start of 1998 but by September the doubts were silent. It is generally accepted that the laid-back, affable ╙ D≤mhnaill thrived under the more senior man's counsel and has not looked so comfortable when required to take the lead role at midfield. The Donnellan-╙ D≤mhnaill alliance has been a mixed bag for Galway. The expectation is that the Dunmore flier will exult in an hour alongside Walsh.

"Well, I would agree that Kevin has had a positive effect on Seβn but I think the same holds true for anyone he partners at midfield. Joe Bergin, Michael Donnellan - really every one the team has tremendous respect for him and he is a big influence on the field," says O'Mahony.

Although bristling with talent from a young age, Walsh looked destined to go through a barren career with Galway. After winning a Galway minor medal against Cork in 1986, he was ushered straight through to the senior ranks but his rising coincided with the county's slow fading as a force.

"From'87 to '95 we had some problems in this county, possibly due to emigration," he observed in the summer of 1998. "But you know, we have lost a few Connacht finals in that time in which we just didn't get the rub of the green."

Even then, he was injury-plagued. A talented basketball player, he shelved the other sport because of the stress on his joints. A groin injury he picked up in 1992 managed to bug him for the next three years. Now, it is inevitably the knees that trouble him first.

"He has had bad luck but thankfully that seems to be turning and when he is fit, he makes such a difference," says O'Mahony.