James Andrew Walsh
Encyclopedia
James Andrew Walsh was a formidable hurler. He was born
in Waterford
City, Ireland
, the son of James Walsh of New Ross, Co. Wexford, and Ellen Stafford of Carrick-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford. He attended Mount Sion
in Waterford City, the first school founded and run by the Congregation of Christian Brothers
. The Irish Christian Brothers were staunch champions of Irish nationalism, the Irish Language Revival and Irish sports. Mount Sion established a strong and enduring tradition of hurling
, which filled the young and impressionable Jimmy with a life-long enthusiasm. When he left Mount Sion, James took with him not only the skills, but a determination to excel, which eventually led to his participation in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
of 1934.
However, it would be wrong to think that Mount Sion was all sport and games. The ancient Greeks believed in a concept called arête
, which means ‘to be the best you can be’. This demanded the equal development of body, mind and spirit. The founder of Mount Sion, Edmund Rice
, took this concept to heart and undertook to develop ‘the whole student’. James Walsh was the living embodiment of this ethos. When he sat the exams for the Leaving Certificate
, he achieved the highest score for mathematics in the nation.
In the archives of the Leinster GAA
(Gaelic Athletic Association
), James is referred to as Jim Walsh (Civil Service). This was done to avoid confusing him with other hurlers of the same name, but it also signifies that Jim Walsh was among the first generation of civil servants to serve the fledgling and sovereign modern state of Ireland. Already fluent in the Irish language
, he passed the challenging Civil Service Entrance Examination for Executive Officers, achieving 12th place out of the 250 candidates who took the test in 1926. His recruitment into the Civil Service
meant moving from Waterford to Dublin. He first worked in the Department of Education, was seconded briefly to the Department of Finance, and eventually settled in the Department of Defence (Ireland)
.
While James was at the Department of Education, he met Nora Fitzpatrick of Kinsale
, Co. Cork. She too had travelled to Dublin to embark on a Civil Service career. They married, and had four children: Margaret, Patricia, John Finbarr (Barry) and Elizabeth.
and Leinster GAA
. He was on the team that won the 1932 Railway Cup Hurling Championship
and the 1933 Railway Cup Hurling Championship
. He also played in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
of 1932 and 1933. His team won the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in 1934, and went on to play Limerick in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1934
at Croke Park
, Dublin. Although Leinster lost after a hard-fought replay, it was a proud moment to have played in the game that marked the Golden Anniversary of the founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association. James won numerous medals, and appeared on a National Sporting Heroes cigarette card published about 1934-5 by W.D. & H.O. Wills
.
What the papers said -
Walsh the Pick of the Dublin Bunch
Jimmy Walsh, the Civil Service representative, was the pick of the Dublin team. He struck back a great number of balls throughout the whole hour. He was always in the picture and completely eclipsed Martin Power. He certainly gave a very nice display.
Jimmie Walsh (Civil Service) -- Right half back. Native of Waterford. Played for his native County and for the Dublin Juniors, and for Dublin seniors in last year's National League Final for the first time as a back. Doubtful if there is a better half-back playing. Excellent in both matches against Kilkenny.
Walsh as Good as Previously
Last week I expressed the view that Jimmy Walsh at right half-back was the pick of the bunch. The same can be said without any doubt on this occasion. The Civil Service man was everywhere at the right time; got rid of the ball in the proper manner, followed up to anticipate a possible return. And when the returns came he got them safe and sound. If anything he was too strong during the first half, but who then could expect a defence man to cut his stroke? He is a topping hurler without question.
Half-backs Good
Jimmy Walsh and Caniffe were the best of the challengers.
Thrilling Hurling Battle Ends in Draw
The encounter between Dublin and Limerick was truly an epic. On the whole, it must be said that Limerick had the best of the play, and the fact that Dublin compelled a draw was due to the close tackling of its players, to the cool, cleverness of Walsh, and the magnificent savings of Forde, the goalie...Dublin positions were rearranged. Jimmy Walsh moved into midfield, and this move largely determined the result of the match.
Great Opposition
(An interview with Mick Mackey
, arguably Ireland's greatest hurler)
When I again turned Mick's thoughts to the 1934 All-Ireland, he commented that Dublin had a wonderful half-back line...Jimmy Walsh, a Waterford man, was also great for Dublin; he did some terrible (i.e. formidably great) hurling for his side on the day of the replay.
in Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
City, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the son of James Walsh of New Ross, Co. Wexford, and Ellen Stafford of Carrick-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford. He attended Mount Sion
Mount Sion
Mount Sion is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Waterford City, County Waterford, Ireland, founded by Brs O'Connor and Malone, teachers in the above school...
in Waterford City, the first school founded and run by the Congregation of Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
. The Irish Christian Brothers were staunch champions of Irish nationalism, the Irish Language Revival and Irish sports. Mount Sion established a strong and enduring tradition of hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
, which filled the young and impressionable Jimmy with a life-long enthusiasm. When he left Mount Sion, James took with him not only the skills, but a determination to excel, which eventually led to his participation in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
of 1934.
However, it would be wrong to think that Mount Sion was all sport and games. The ancient Greeks believed in a concept called arête
Arete
Areté is the term meaning "virtue" or "excellence", from Greek ἈρετήArete may also be used:*as a given name of persons or things:**Queen Arete , a character in Homer's Odyssey.***197 Arete, an asteroid....
, which means ‘to be the best you can be’. This demanded the equal development of body, mind and spirit. The founder of Mount Sion, Edmund Rice
Edmund Rice
Edmund Rice was an American politician. Rice served in the U.S. Congress in Minnesota's 4th District from March 4, 1887 to March 3, 1889.-Early life:...
, took this concept to heart and undertook to develop ‘the whole student’. James Walsh was the living embodiment of this ethos. When he sat the exams for the Leaving Certificate
Leaving Certificate
The Leaving Certificate Examinations , commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior...
, he achieved the highest score for mathematics in the nation.
In the archives of the Leinster GAA
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
(Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
), James is referred to as Jim Walsh (Civil Service). This was done to avoid confusing him with other hurlers of the same name, but it also signifies that Jim Walsh was among the first generation of civil servants to serve the fledgling and sovereign modern state of Ireland. Already fluent in the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
, he passed the challenging Civil Service Entrance Examination for Executive Officers, achieving 12th place out of the 250 candidates who took the test in 1926. His recruitment into the Civil Service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
meant moving from Waterford to Dublin. He first worked in the Department of Education, was seconded briefly to the Department of Finance, and eventually settled in the Department of Defence (Ireland)
Department of Defence (Ireland)
The Department of Defence is the department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for preserving peace and security in Ireland and abroad...
.
While James was at the Department of Education, he met Nora Fitzpatrick of Kinsale
Kinsale
Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and...
, Co. Cork. She too had travelled to Dublin to embark on a Civil Service career. They married, and had four children: Margaret, Patricia, John Finbarr (Barry) and Elizabeth.
Hurling Highlights
James Walsh played half back (see Gaelic football, hurling and camogie positions) for Dublin GAADublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
and Leinster GAA
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
. He was on the team that won the 1932 Railway Cup Hurling Championship
1932 Railway Cup Hurling Championship
The 1932 Railway Cup Hurling Championship was the sixth Inter-Provincial Championship, an annual hurling competition contested by three of the four provinces of Ireland. The tournament was held between 28 February and 17 March 1932....
and the 1933 Railway Cup Hurling Championship
1933 Railway Cup Hurling Championship
The 1933 Railway Cup Hurling Championship was the seventh Inter-Provincial Championship, an annual hurling competition contested by three of the four provinces of Ireland. The tournament was held between 19 February and 17 March 1933....
. He also played in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
of 1932 and 1933. His team won the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in 1934, and went on to play Limerick in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1934
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1934
-Munster Senior Hurling Championship:-----------------All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship:--------'-----Scoring:*Widest winning margin: 18 points**Dublin 5-4 : 0-1 Meath...
at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, Dublin. Although Leinster lost after a hard-fought replay, it was a proud moment to have played in the game that marked the Golden Anniversary of the founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association. James won numerous medals, and appeared on a National Sporting Heroes cigarette card published about 1934-5 by W.D. & H.O. Wills
W.D. & H.O. Wills
W.D. & H.O. Wills was a British tobacco importer and cigarette manufacturer formed in Bristol, England. It was one of the founding companies of Imperial Tobacco.-History:...
.
What the papers said -
Walsh the Pick of the Dublin Bunch
Jimmy Walsh, the Civil Service representative, was the pick of the Dublin team. He struck back a great number of balls throughout the whole hour. He was always in the picture and completely eclipsed Martin Power. He certainly gave a very nice display.
Jimmie Walsh (Civil Service) -- Right half back. Native of Waterford. Played for his native County and for the Dublin Juniors, and for Dublin seniors in last year's National League Final for the first time as a back. Doubtful if there is a better half-back playing. Excellent in both matches against Kilkenny.
Walsh as Good as Previously
Last week I expressed the view that Jimmy Walsh at right half-back was the pick of the bunch. The same can be said without any doubt on this occasion. The Civil Service man was everywhere at the right time; got rid of the ball in the proper manner, followed up to anticipate a possible return. And when the returns came he got them safe and sound. If anything he was too strong during the first half, but who then could expect a defence man to cut his stroke? He is a topping hurler without question.
Half-backs Good
Jimmy Walsh and Caniffe were the best of the challengers.
Thrilling Hurling Battle Ends in Draw
The encounter between Dublin and Limerick was truly an epic. On the whole, it must be said that Limerick had the best of the play, and the fact that Dublin compelled a draw was due to the close tackling of its players, to the cool, cleverness of Walsh, and the magnificent savings of Forde, the goalie...Dublin positions were rearranged. Jimmy Walsh moved into midfield, and this move largely determined the result of the match.
Great Opposition
(An interview with Mick Mackey
Mick Mackey
Michael ‘Mick’ Mackey was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the famous Ahane club from 1930 until 1948 and was a member of the Limerick senior inter-county team from 1930 until 1947. Mackey is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game...
, arguably Ireland's greatest hurler)
When I again turned Mick's thoughts to the 1934 All-Ireland, he commented that Dublin had a wonderful half-back line...Jimmy Walsh, a Waterford man, was also great for Dublin; he did some terrible (i.e. formidably great) hurling for his side on the day of the replay.
See Also
- 1934 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final1934 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final-Replay:-The Teams:Dublin Chris Forde Arthur Murphy Joe Bannon Tom Teehan James Andrew Walsh Dan Canniffe Paddy Roche Ned Wade Mick Daniels...
- Civil Service Hurling ClubCivil Service Hurling ClubCivil Service Hurling Club is one of 6 hurling only clubs in the County of Dublin . The club was founded in 1923. They currently field two adult hurling teams, in Division 5 and 8 and play in the Junior A and E Hurling championships...