The remarkable sporting life of Co. Kerry native George Walsh (1899 – 1938) makes interesting reading.
Born at Springmount, Farranfore on July 28th 1899, in the course of his short sporting career he achieved more than many others could only dream of.
Having finished his schooling at Currans National School he stayed at home farming with his brother Ned and sister Rita.
Both boys competed at local sports in Kerry around 1922-3. And in their first big meeting George and his brother Ned finished second and third in the 56lb weight event. The winner was the well-known Currans man Jack Collins.
Joined An Garda Síochána
In March 1923 he joined An Garda Síochána and his first day on duty was in Waterford on September 6th 1923.
While there he joined with Macroom GAA Club and played senior football with the club.
In 1924, 1925 and 1926 he won sports, Munster championships in the 16lb shot and 56lb distance at Coachford Sports, Cork County Championships, Southern Command, Dromtariffe, Blarney, Mallow and Killarney. He was transferred to Castletownbere in March 1927.
In recognition of his skills he was transferred to the Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park in May 1928, to represent An Garda Síochána in athletics.
Defeat of Olympic Champion
In 1928 at the Garda sports he won the discus, beating the current Garda champion W. Gore. At the same sports he won the 16lb shot open handicap beating the Olympic hammer champion Dr. Pat O’Callaghan.
In August at the Kerry Championships he won gold in the 16lb shot, 56lb distance and the discus and at the Tralee Sports in September he also took gold in the 56lb event discus.
The Tailteann Games were held on July 2nd 1932. In the hammer he won 16lb shot and 56lb distance. In 1929 he also won the Munster Championship and also won 16 and 56lb.
In the Tralee Sports he came second to Dr. Pat O’Callaghan in the 56lb shot and he beat O’Callaghan in the hammer.
Manchester City Police Sports
The following year he went to the Manchester City Police Sports and won 16lb shot, discus and hammer. That year he won 13 gold, eight silver and four bronze medals in the field events.
The 1931 season was once again very successful for George with him winning 25 gold, 20 silver and two bronze in the shot, hammer and discus events.
That year on August 1st he set a new Garda record in the 16lb hammer (158′ – 1.5″), which he held for five years.
The highlight of the year 1931 on the athletic calendar was in August, when Ireland took on France in an athletics meeting.
Surprise of the Meeting
The surprise of the meeting was the defeat of Dr. Pat O’Callaghan – who had recently set the world record – by George Walsh in the discus and hammer events.
In 1932 he had numerous other wins and in Wexford in hammer and field event sports, George Walsh had a magnificent treble by winning the hammer and both shots events.
George joined Lansdowne A.A.A in Limerick only to win both the A.A.A. Championships in White City London on July 30th.
He won gold in the 16lb hammer and bronze in the discus, and on his return to Ireland he won gold in the 16lb and 56lb and in the hammer and discus events at the Tailteann Games.
1932 Tailteann Games
In July 1932 the Tailteann Games were held. These games were four-yearly events and one of the biggest of their time.
George Walsh won the hammer, 16lb shot, 56lb, 8lb, 16lb and 28lb shots and third in the 16lb shot and discus. He had 13 firsts and one second.
The Ireland vs. Scotland international events held in Dublin in July, saw George win the hammer, 16lb and 56lb distance. The result was six points to Ireland against Scotland’s two points.
In August 1933 the Gardaí held their annual Aerdheacht at the Headquarters in Phoenix Park.
President and Ministers Present
Amongst those present were President Éamonn De Valera, Seán Lemass, Minister for Industry and P.J. Ruttledge Minister for Justice.
The athletic award was presented to George Walsh for his hammer throwing exploits and his great successes.
His last competitive sports were at the D.M.G. Championships in Phoenix Park on July 30th 1934, where he won gold in the hammer and silver in the discus.
He married Catherine Burke of Burke’s Hotel, Coachford on July 17th 1934 and retired from An Garda Síochána on January 18th 1935.
Untimely Death at 39
In the short time he lived in Coachford he became President of the All-Ireland Bowl Playing Association and promoted the game all over Cork. He also taught Irish Dancing to the young people of Coachford.
He served as chairman of Aghabullogue Hurling Club and Golf Club before retiring to a business life in Coachford.
Entering into the sporting spirit of Muskerry the big-hearted Castleisland man became patron of all local sports from hurling to bowl playing. The latter game won his admiration and he took a manly part in its rise to wide popularity.
George Walsh died on July 2nd 1938, leaving his wife Catherine, son Tom and daughter Mary and is buried in the family plot at Dysert near Castleisland, Co. Kerry.
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