DOWN Gaels were yesterday mourning the loss of a man who played a role in all five of the county’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship successes.
Dr Martin Walsh, either a selector or doctor in the backroom teams of the three triumphs of the 1960s and the two in the ’90s, passed away on Saturday.
A native of Banbridge, Walsh captained St Colman’s college in their first MacRory Cup final in 1945 and was a full-forward on the Down team beaten by Kerry in the All-Ireland Junior final of 1949. He went on to make his senior Championship debut for Down in 1952 against Cavan and, while studying at Queen’s University, he played in no less than seven Sigerson Cup tournaments.
After qualifying as a doctor, Walsh practiced in Newcastle and took a keen interest in sports medicine. Maurice Hayes recruited Walsh to the Down backroom team in 1959, an involvement that was to last for decades. Along with his role with the senior team, Walsh was also on the coaching staff for the U21 triumph of 1979 and the All-Ireland minor-winning campaigns of 1977, 1987, 1999 and 2005.
“Martin was a man who gave outstanding service to Down over many decades,” read a statement released by the Down county board over the weekend.
“He was a man who made a difference to the lives of many in his professional life and in the sporting world, where he used his expertise to the benefit of club, school and county players not just in Down, but throughout the country.
“Martin was a trusted confidant to many players who sought his advice and guidance. He helped prolong the playing careers of many and he was, for us in Down GAA, a man that we were very proud to say was one of our own.”
Walsh’s remains will leave his late residence at 9.15am tomorrow for 10am funeral mass in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Newcastle, to be followed by burial in St Patrick's Cemetery, Bryansford.
