All-Ireland champions Kerry look set to be handed a massive boost next year after the Sydney Swans confirmed on Wednesday that forward Tommy Walsh was to return home to Ireland at the end of 2014 and end his four-year AFL career.

The 26-year-old joined St Kilda as a rookie in 2010 having scored four points in Kerry’s 0-16 to 1-9 victory over Cork in the 2009 All-Ireland final.

He subsequently moved to the Swans, where he played five senior games in his three-year stay.

Speaking to SwansTV after informing the club of his decision to return home, Walsh said he would always look back fondly on his time in Australia.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” Walsh said. “It’s the best thing I ever did.

“To be able to experience professional sport in two great cities with two great clubs, I’ve met a lot of great people and I’ll have friends for the rest of my life over here.

“I’m not sure when, but I’m looking forward to coming back over here already for a holiday a few years down the line and catching up with everyone again.”

Walsh looked set for a big season with the Swans in 2013, only for a hamstring injury to sideline him for almost 12 months, only returning in May of this year.

Walsh will return to action with his club side Kerins O’Rahilly’s and hopes to be able to resume his inter-county career also.

“I always knew I’d be going back and after five years here I knew that the time was right,” he said.

“I’ll be going back to my club Kerins O’Rahilly’s and I don’t know, but maybe Kerry as well.”

The news of Walsh’s return prompted one Irish bookmaker to cut Kerry from 4 to 1 into 7 to 2 to retain their title next year, with Dublin favourites at 5 to 4.