Willie Walsh (hurler, born 1888)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Liam Breathnach | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Born |
26 September 1888 Little Island, Cork, Ireland | ||
| Died |
21 April 1964 (aged 75) South Infirmary, Cork, Ireland | ||
| Nickname | Bowler | ||
| Occupation | Train guard | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
| Sarsfields | |||
| Club titles | |||
| Cork titles | 0 | ||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | ||
1910-1916 | Cork | ||
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Munster titles | 2 | ||
| All-Irelands | 0 | ||
William Walsh (26 September 1888 – 21 April 1964) was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Sarsfields and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1912 until 1915.
Playing career
Inter-county
Walsh first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork senior team in the early part of the 20th century. He first experienced success in 1912 when he captured a Munster winners' medal following a 5-2 to 3-2 defeat of Tipperary.[1] The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on arch rivals Kilkenny. A close game ensued, however, a Sim Walton goal gave ‘the Cats’ a lift and helped them to a 2-1 to 1-3 victory over Cork and a second consecutive All-Ireland title.[2]
Cork lost their provincial crown in 1913; however, in 1915 ‘the Rebels’ were back. An 8-2 to 2-1 defeat of Clare gave Walsh a second Munster winners’ medal.[3] Cork later lined out in the All-Ireland final with Laois providing the opposition. Walsh’s side were the overwhelming favourites going into the game and took a 3-0 to 2-2 lead at half-time. A terrible downpour hampered the hurling with some players lining out in their overcoats. At full-time Laois were the champions for the first and only time in their history.[4]
Honours
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship:
- Winner (0):
- Runner-up (2): 1912, 1915
- Munster Senior Hurling Championship:
- Winner (2): 1912, 1915