The annual Tom Walsh Memorial Hurling Tournament was held in the grounds of Good Counsel College last Wednesday 16th May. The tournament has been running for three years and is dedicated to the memory of Tom Walsh, a former teacher in Good Counsel College and a Wexford hurling stalwart. The five first year teams which competed for this year’s cup were: Good Counsel College, Enniscorthy C.B.S., St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny C.B.S. and Castlecomer.
The tournament was run throughout the day with each team getting the chance to play four matches before the top two teams met in the final. Good Counsel College and Enniscorthy C.B.S. proved to be much too strong for their Kilkenny opponents in the group games, while Good Counsel – buoyed by core members from their Leinster-winning u-14 side – came out on top in the group meeting between themselves and the Enniscorthy boys.
The two Wexford teams would meet again in the final which proved to be a much more competitive and closer game. However, Good Counsel did enough to ensure the Tom Walsh Memorial Cup remained in New Ross for a second year running after De Le Salle College had won it in its inaugural year. The Wexford County Board very kindly sponsored a sliotar for each of the participants in the final and a Brian Walsh hurley for Man of the Match. Good Counsel’s captain, Darragh Lyons, was the recipient of the award having been selected by Joe Kearns and Luke O’ Hanlon as the outstanding performer.
The tournament was attended by Tom’s partner, Denise Bolger, who was delighted to see the games being played in such a dignified and sporting manner befitting the kind of person Tom was. The games were played in lovely sunshine and the tournament was a successful outing for all the young hurlers involved and a fitting tribute to a man who is fondly remembered in the hurling community.
Back row l-r: Tadhg Cody, Richard Gill, Shane Doyle, Liam Stafford, Domhnall McGahan, Darragh Lyons, James Tobin, Luke Sinnott, Jack Walsh, Eoin Porter, Andy Walsh, Eoghan Byrne.
Front row l-r: Rory Higgins, Michael Martin, Micheal Ryan, Enda Kelly, Ned Connors, Jim Ryan, Ricky McGrath, Darragh O’ Connor, Cathal O’ Connor, Darren Hayden, Emmett Coakley, Sam Wall.
