James Andrew Walsh
- November 20, 1908
- May 17, 1985
- 76 years
About James Andrew Walsh
James Andrew Walsh, 76, Irish hurler.
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Full Biography
|James Andrew Walsh (20 November 1908 – 16 May 1985) was an Irish hurler.
Early life
He was born in Waterford, Ireland, the son of James Walsh of New Ross, Co. Wexford, and Ellen Stafford of Carrick-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford. He attended Mount Sion school 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 tradition of hurling, which attracted Jimmy as a youth.
The founder of Mount Sion, Edmund Ignatius Rice, undertook to develop ‘the whole student’, adopting the ancient Greek concept of arete. When Walsh sat the exams for the Leaving Certificate, he achieved the nation's highest score for mathematics.
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 Walsh was among Ireland's first generation of civil servants. Fluent in the Irish language, he passed the Civil Service Entrance Examination for Executive Officers, ranking 12th out of the 250 candidates in 1926. His entry 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.
Hurling Highlights
Walsh played half-back (see Gaelic football, hurling and camogie positions) for Dublin and Leinster. 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 SHC of 1932 and 1933. His team won the Leinster SHC in 1934, and played Limerick in the 1934 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship at Croke Park, Dublin. Leinster[contradictory] lost after a hard-fought replay[circular reference] in the game that marked the Golden Anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Walsh won medals and appeared on a National Sporting Heroes cigarette card published about 1934-5 by W.D. & H.O. Wills.
News coverage
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."
Who's Who
"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."
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James Walsh on Wills's Cigarette card, circa 1934.
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Verso of cigarette card.
Personal life
While at the Department of Education, Walsh met Nora Fitzpatrick of Kinsale, Co. Cork. She had travelled to Dublin to embark on a Civil Service career. They married, and had four children: Margaret, Patricia, John Finbarr (Barry) and Elizabeth.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Andrew_Walsh
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- October 24, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 15 questions
Questions drawn from James Andrew Walsh's archived record and the sources above.
1.What was the date of birth for James Andrew Walsh?
- A.20 November 1908correct
- B.16 May 1934
- C.16 May 1985
- D.20 November 1926
James Andrew Walsh was born on 20 November 1908.
Source: biographical header
2.In which city was James Andrew Walsh born?
- A.Waterfordcorrect
- B.Carrick-on-Bannow
- C.Dublin
- D.New Ross
James Andrew Walsh was born in Waterford, Ireland.
Source: early life section
3.Which school did James Andrew Walsh attend in Waterford City?
- A.St. Declan's Institute
- B.Christian Brothers College
- C.Waterford High Academy
- D.Mount Sion schoolcorrect
James Andrew Walsh attended Mount Sion school in Waterford City.
Source: early life section
4.What academic achievement did James Andrew Walsh attain while sitting his Leaving Certificate exams?
- A.Highest score in the nation for history
- B.Highest score in the nation for Irish
- C.Highest score in the nation for science
- D.Highest score in the nation for mathematicscorrect
James Andrew Walsh achieved the nation's highest score for mathematics on his Leaving Certificate exams.
Source: early life section
5.Why was James Andrew Walsh referred to as 'Jim Walsh (Civil Service)' in Leinster GAA archives?
- A.To distinguish him from other hurlers of the same namecorrect
- B.Because he was a professional coach for the Civil Service
- C.Because he was the head of the Civil Service hurling team
- D.To signify his status as a national champion
The moniker was used to avoid confusion with other hurlers named James Walsh.
Source: early life section
6.Which government department did James Andrew Walsh eventually settle in while working for the Civil Service?
- A.Department of Defencecorrect
- B.Department of Agriculture
- C.Department of Finance
- D.Department of Education
After working in Education and Finance, James Andrew Walsh eventually settled in the Department of Defence.
Source: early life section
7.At what ranking did James Andrew Walsh pass the Civil Service Entrance Examination in 1926?
- A.12th out of 250correct
- B.100th out of 250
- C.1st out of 250
- D.50th out of 250
In 1926, James Andrew Walsh ranked 12th out of 250 candidates for the Civil Service Entrance Examination.
Source: early life section
8.Which position did James Andrew Walsh primarily play for Dublin and Leinster?
- A.Full-forward
- B.Half-backcorrect
- C.Midfield
- D.Goalkeeper
James Andrew Walsh played half-back for Dublin and Leinster.
Source: hurling highlights section
9.James Andrew Walsh won the Railway Cup Hurling Championship in which two consecutive years?
- A.1932 and 1933correct
- B.1930 and 1931
- C.1936 and 1937
- D.1934 and 1935
James Andrew Walsh was on the team that won the 1932 and 1933 Railway Cup Hurling Championships.
Source: hurling highlights section
10.James Andrew Walsh was featured on which collectible item published around 1934-5?
- A.A local newspaper front page
- B.A Gaelic Athletic Association trophy plate
- C.A National Sporting Heroes cigarette cardcorrect
- D.A commemorative postage stamp
James Andrew Walsh appeared on a National Sporting Heroes cigarette card published by W.D. & H.O. Wills.
Source: hurling highlights section
11.Who did James Andrew Walsh meet while working at the Department of Education?
- A.Margaret Walsh
- B.Patricia Walsh
- C.Ellen Stafford
- D.Nora Fitzpatrickcorrect
James Andrew Walsh met his future wife, Nora Fitzpatrick, while working at the Department of Education.
Source: personal life section
12.Where was Nora Fitzpatrick from?
- A.Dublin, Ireland
- B.Kinsale, Co. Corkcorrect
- C.Waterford, Ireland
- D.New Ross, Co. Wexford
Nora Fitzpatrick was from Kinsale, Co. Cork.
Source: personal life section
13.How many children did James Andrew Walsh and Nora Fitzpatrick have?
- A.Five
- B.Fourcorrect
- C.Three
- D.Two
James Andrew Walsh and Nora Fitzpatrick had four children: Margaret, Patricia, John Finbarr (Barry), and Elizabeth.
Source: personal life section
14.In the 1934 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship match against Limerick, where was James Andrew Walsh moved after the team was rearranged?
- A.Goalkeeper
- B.Full-forward
- C.Right-wing
- D.Midfieldcorrect
During the match against Limerick, James Andrew Walsh was moved into midfield.
Source: hurling highlights section
15.What date did James Andrew Walsh pass away?
- A.16 May 1934
- B.16 May 1985correct
- C.20 November 1908
- D.20 November 1985
James Andrew Walsh died on 16 May 1985.
Source: biographical header
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