In 1987 Walsh was a firm fixture on both the Cork senior hurling and football teams. The hurlers surrendered their provincial and All-Ireland crowns to Tipperary; however, the footballers were just beginning a remarkable run of success. After a draw and a replay 'the Rebel's broke Kerry's stranglehold on provincial football with a 0–13 to 1–5 victory. It was Walsh's first senior Munster football title. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork play Meath for the first time in twenty years. Cork stormed into an early lead, however, it was Meath who led by a point at half-time. The second half saw Larry Tompkins kick six of his eight frees wide, resulting in a bitter 1–14 to 0–11 defeat for Cork.