Cork dual star Aidan Walsh has confirmed he will be concentrating exclusively on hurling next year.

The Kanturk man has informed respective Cork hurling and football manager's Jimmy Barry-Murphy and Brian Cuthbert of his decision, and admitted to local radio station 96FM that his "head has been wrecked the last few weeks" over which team to play for.

The two-time football All Star combined both codes this year, but struggled to cope with the demands and has now opted to focus solely on hurling in what is a massive blow to the Cork footballers.

"In fairness my head has been wrecked the last few weeks, but I've come to the decision that I'll probably have a cut off the hurling this year," Walsh said.

"I suppose being with the footballers now the last few years and last year trying to do the dual I just feel that I could prove something in the hurling in the coming year.

"And I just said to myself if I give 100 per cent to the hurling I can see what could happen. So yeah, I've decided to go with the hurling.  We'll see what happens now and just looking forward to it. Just can't wait to get started really.

He added: "It was a very, very hard decision to make but I'm kind of happy now that it's over with. I'm just looking forward to getting the head down and just getting into the alley now for the winter and hitting the ball off the wall and getting as much hurling as I can in to try to improve.

"Last year, looking back at it, there's a lot of areas that I have to improve on. And hopefully, now I can focus on it 100 per cent on it, there'll be massive improvements. But no, it's done with now. That's it."

Walsh, who has been named vice-captain of the Ireland International Rules squad which will travel to Australia next month, said Brian Cuthbert was supportive of his decision.

"I was talking to Brian and in fairness to him he was fully supportive of my decision. He obviously was disappointed that I picked hurling but he's like anyone - he's a pure Cork GAA man.

"He just wished me luck and I wished him the best of luck and told him I hope they have more success and do very well this year. I told him maybe down the line I'd get the opportunity to play under him again and left it at that."

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