Wicklow. Thomas Walsh. Carlow. Wow. It's a story with more drama and intrigue in it than your average episode of Eastenders.

Now it has arrived the most pertinent question is how will he perform?

In 2007 he became a cause célèbre for all of Carlow’s wrongs. But he as since admitted he should have handled his move to the Garden county in a better way and this return gives him a chance to live his life in peace.

If Walsh had played out his career with Bray Emmet’s and Wicklow he would have never been allowed to forget it. Every move he made was being scrutinised and his life was being analysed with all the ferocity an English soccer player might expect to receive.

Since his move he chose not to speak to the media. That added to the confusion of his departure as speculation filled the gaps left by an absence of fact.

The void became a poisonous melting pot of rumour through the streets and pitches of Carlow. No matter how strong willed you are, that has to hurt. To be an outcast among your own, a social pariah, is something few people could ever live with.

Therefore Sunday marks a chance for him to rejoin the society he was once ostracised from.

A bit deep? Maybe. But what Carlow supporters reading this once treated him like a demigod (Carlow v Laois 2004) and then like the anti-Christ? The truth is no one was immune from these feelings.

As a result this game will mean more to Thomas Walsh than almost anyone else in O’Moore Park. But that does not guarantee a successful day out. His former colleagues know him well and will be aware of the traits, both positive and negative, he possesses.

He’s likely to take stick from them throughout while also battling with his overriding emotions as well. A tough day out for sure.

But he’s in the fortunate position to return to a Carlow team where he does not need to rely solely on himself at midfield anymore. Brendan Murphy’s presence is a godsend and certainly has everyone in Wicklow expecting to be routed at midfield.

And what do you do when you’re expecting to be routed at midfield? You flood it.

It’s a strong part of Wicklow’s armoury with Leighton Glynn and JP Dalton employed as defensive half forwards.

So maybe this second coming will become a sideshow to the real event once the ball is thrown in. Wicklow certainly think so and the county is rife with rumours of Murphy being thrown in at full forward.

No matter what happens, Carlow fans should forgive and Wicklow fans forget and allow Walsh continue to play the sport he loves.