Walsh, John
January 15, 2013
Talented hurler John touched many lives
A talented hurler who led Wexford to an All-Ireland title has been laid to his eternal rest at the age of just 56.
John Walsh, from Effernogue, Ferns, who captained his county to the All-Ireland Junior Hurling crown of 1985, sadly lost his battle against illness at Wexford General Hospital on Thursday January 3. Gaels from his
beloved Ferns St. Aidans club were joined by others from across the county and further afield in mourning and in offering sympathy to to members of a family that is steeped in a proud GAA tradition.
John made a great contribution to the Ferns club both on and off the field, particularly throughout the late 1970s and into the 80s, when he was a key member of its intermediate and senior hurling teams and also served as Club Chairman.
John was also always renowned as a dedicated and hard-working farmer, after being thrust into a position of much responsibilty at a young age when he and his brothers had to assume control of the family farm after
their late father passed away suddenly while watching Ferns play in the county senior hurling semi-final of 1969.
He also had a great interest in horse racing and in current affairs, and followed the family tradition of staunch support for Fine Gael, serving for a time as chairman of the Ferns branch of the party and being involved in several door-to-door canvassing campaigns for both local and national elections. John was close to all members of his family and was held in particularly high regard by all his nephews and nieces and by his three godchildren, to whom he was always generous with both time and gifts.
His funeral procession from St. Aidans Church in Ferns to the local cemetery was afforded a Guard of Honour by Ferns St. Aidans club members and also by colleagues from the Wexford team that he led to All-Ireland suc- cess. The number of other great former players who were among the mourners also stood as testament to the contribution John Walsh made to the game and the high regard he was held in by so many.
John is survived by sisters Anna, Mary, Elsie and Dorothy; by brothers Aidan and Charlie; uncle and aunt Pat and Gretta Nolan, and also by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and many other relations, neighbours and friends.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Courtesy of The Wexford People.
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