BALLYLANDERS GAA CLUB NOTES
Dave Walsh R.I.P.
When Dave Walsh of Duntraleague, Galbally passed away unexpectedly on Sunday evening, the Lord called a very special person home.
Rarely has there been such an outpouring of grief as Dave Walsh was universally popular not just in south Limerick but throughout the entire county. Testimony to the esteem in which Dave was held is the pall of grief that enveloped the community when news of his passing filtered through and is still pervasive.
He was extremely well known and respected in agriculture, G.A.A. greyhound and political circles.
Dave Walsh was born in the 1940s into the family farm at Carraturk, Ballylanders the only son of Jack and Molly. He and his twin sister Mary had one sister Esther.
He was a typical product of rural Ireland of the 1940s, kind, giving, generous and constantly looking out for the welfare of his family and neighbours. He practiced good neighbourliness right up to the time that the Lord called him last Sunday.
A man of humble and modest expectations, he possessed an innate affability that endeared him to those who were lucky to come in contact with him during his seventy odd years in this world.
In today’s world which is becoming more and more of a rat race. Dave’s easy going demeanour was refreshing and such was his vast array of well-founded knowledge and his ability to come out with a humorous anecdote that conversation with him was always very enriching
He always sought the good in everybody and he was never known to be critical, he had a positive outlook even in the most challenging of circumstances.
The big love and interest in his life was the G.A.A. especially football. Despite moving to Galbally a number of years ago, his dedication to Ballylanders football was unflinching. He won a south under 21 medal with the club in 1967 and a south senior medal in 1972.
When his playing career ended, he made a seamless transition to team management and served as a Ballylanders selector for the south junior success in Centenary Year 1984 and for the county senior triumphs of 1999 and 2007. He served as the Ballylanders delegate to the South and County Boards for many years right up to his passing.
He served as a Limerick selector in all grades from senior down and his opinion on the game was rightly regarded as authoritative.
He was a diligent attendee of all Limerick games in football and hurling and also local games throughout Limerick.
The sporting achievements of his nephews, the Ryan brothers was an immense source of pride for him. T.J. David and Donie on the hurling fields with Garryspillane and Limerick and T.J.’s achievements as manager with Kilworth, Garryspillane, Limerick and more recently St. Thomas.
Dave’s other sporting interest was greyhound racing. For a number of years, he bred and raced dogs and had an in depth knowledge and interest in the sport, something he maintained right up until his passing.
Dave’s first calling was agriculture and he ran a dairy farm at home in Carraturk and he subsequently inherited a farm at Duntraleague from his late aunt., Mrs Foley. He continued the daily chores of dairy framing until the turn of the new millennium.
All the time he had a deep interest in animal welfare and devoted much more time to it after changing his system of farming. He had an innate flair for tending to animals and over the last two decades was much sought after to help with sick and stricken livestock. He was an immense source of wisdom on the matter and tended animals for the local farming community for miles around.
A lifelong member and supporter of the Fianna Fáil party, Dave never sought office in the organisation. He was a regular delegate to party Conventions and was the quintessential party foot soldier always available for canvassing, erection of posters and Church gate collections.
Though not tall in stature, Dave was physically very strong and had great resilience best typified by the manner in which he recovered in recent years from hip replacement procedures having endured considerable and at times excruciating pain for a number of years
Dave had time for everybody and everything, he was never in a hurry, that word did not feature in his lexicon. It was always a pleasure to meet him, he was great company, a great conversationalist, his smile, charm, the spontaneous and hearty laugh will be sadly missed.
Deepest sympathy to his twin sister Mary Gladman, London and his sister Esther Ryan, Knocklong, his brothers -in-law Les Gladman and Dan Ryan, nephews Seán Gladman, T.J., Donie and David Ryan, nieces Martina Geary and Jackie McNamara and extended family.
We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain. To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again. So rest in peace dear Dave, and thanks for all you’ve done. We pray that God has given you the crown you’ve truly won.
Penned by Dave’s many friends
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS :
The death has occurred of DAVID (DAVE) WALSH
Duntryleague, Galbally, Limerick / Ballylanders, Limerick
DAVID (DAVE) WALSH
Formerly of Carraturk, Ballylanders. Very deeply regretted by his loving twin sister Mary Gladman (London) and sister Esther Ryan (Knocklong), brothers-in-law Les Gladman and Dan Ryan, nephews Sean Gladman, TJ, Donie and David Ryan, nieces Martina (Geary) and Jackie (Mc Namara), grandnephews, grandnieces, extended family, cousins, kind neighbours and a large circle of friends, especially in Ballylanders and also in Farming and G.A.A. circles.
Due to Government advice regarding public gatherings, Dave’s Funeral Mass will be private on Sunday at 12noon in The Church of The Assumption, Ballylanders followed by burial afterwards in Ballylanders Cemetery.
If you wish you may leave a message in the condolence section below. The family would like to thank you for co-operation and understanding at this time.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.