Walsh reunites with Applegarth at Knights
YORK Knights have signed young outside back Mac Walsh for 2025.
The 21-year-old makes the move to North Yorkshire after a difficult season with French full-timers Toulouse Olympique, for whom he made two just appearances.
Walsh will reunite with head coach Mark Applegarth at the Knights, whom he played under in the academy system at Wakefield Trinity before beginning his studies at Newcastle University.
Moving to the North East as a result, he spent the 2023 season with Newcastle Thunder, making nine appearances, including at centre in the Knights’ 20-6 win at Kingston Park that August.
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The versatile back, who can also play on the wing, had signed for League One promotion hopefuls Hunslet ahead of 2024 but was released after earning a two-month trial with a view to a full-time contract at Toulouse.
He made his debut for the French side in a 40-4 victory against Whitehaven in April and was 18th man for their defeat at Wakefield the following week but struggled for game time and instead spent most of the second half of the season on loan at Whitehaven.
Walsh featured seven times for the Cumbrians, including against York in September, and was on the scoresheet in their win against Dewsbury.
Applegarth is confident that the youngster can put his best foot forward and regain his form with the Knights, saying: “I'm really glad we’ve got Mac on board.
“It gives us a bit more depth in those wing and centre positions.
“He’s a kid I’ve coached before at Wakefield in the Academy. Things didn’t go his way last year; he didn’t play too much.
“He’s looking for an opportunity, so if he trains hard and puts his best foot forward, he’ll definitely get that at York.
“I'm glad we’ve got him on board and I’m looking forward to linking up with him again.”
The Knights will kick off their 2025 season against Hull KR in the inaugural Amsterdam Challenge on January 25, before taking on Keighley Cougars in the second round of the Challenge Cup on February 2.
