Kilkenny's Tommy Walsh has won everything there is to win as an inter-county hurler.

He may be retired since 2014, but the nine-time All-Ireland winner is still passionate about the state of hurling. Along with the success he has with Kilkenny, Walsh won six Railway Cups, including one as a captain in 2008.

On Thursday night, Munster play Leinster in the Interprovincial Final in Semple Stadium. On Sunday, Connacht meet Ulster in the Football Final in Carrick-on-Shannon. Neither game is expected to see large crowds in attendance.

Despite the falling popularity of the competitions, the Tullaroan defenders thinks the competitions should continue. Speaking to GAA.ie earlier this week, the 33-year-old feels the Railway Cup has a future.

“It should definitely be left there because the players for one don’t get to meet each other that often and when you get to meet players from other counties on a Railway Cup competition it’s brilliant because you get to I suppose tell stories, see how each other are preparing yourselves", Walsh said.

Despite the poor attendances, and general lack of interest, he believes the players still enjoy playing in the competition. Since the turn of the millennium some finals have been played outside the country in an effort to boost its popularity.

"I’m sure everyone wants the Railway Cup to work and everyone is putting in the thoughts behind how to make it work... I’d say it’s still working from a players’ viewpoint, I’d say players are still having a ball playing it."

The competition was last played in 2015, when Leinster beat Connacht in the Final. On Thursday, they will look to defend their title.