Davy Walsh
David Joseph Walsh (28 April 1923 – 14 March 2016), commonly referred to as Davy Walsh or Dave Walsh, was an Irish footballer who played as a centre forward for, among others, Linfield, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa. Walsh was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI. In 1949, he was a member of the FAI XI that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first team to beat England at home.
|
Walsh in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | David Joseph Walsh | ||
| Date of birth | 28 April 1923 | ||
| Place of birth | Waterford, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 14 March 2016 (aged 92) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| St. Joseph's | |||
| Corinthians | |||
| Shelbourne (Waterford) | |||
| Glen Rovers | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1942–1943 | Limerick United | 16 | (13) |
| 1943 | → Shelbourne (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 1943–1946 | Linfield | ||
| 1946–1950 | West Bromwich Albion | 165 | (94) |
| 1947 | → Shamrock Rovers (guest) | 1 | (0) |
| 1950–1955 | Aston Villa | 108 | (37) |
| 1955–1956 | Walsall | 20 | (6) |
| 1956–1957 | Worcester City | ||
| International career | |||
| 1945–1946 | Irish League XI | 3 | (2) |
| 1946–1950 | Ireland (IFA) | 11 | (7) |
| 1946–1953 | Ireland (FAI) | 20 | (5) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Walsh was a player with an eye for goal. Nimble and decisive in front of goal, he had the knack for being in the right place at the right time. After retiring as a player Walsh owned a sports shop / general store in Droitwich and later ran holiday homes in Thurlestone and Kingsbridge in Devon. In June 2003, Walsh, together with such other notable Waterford footballers as Paddy Coad, Alfie Hale, Peter Thomas, Jim Beglin and John O'Shea, was honoured by the city council and presented with Waterford Crystal vase. He died in 2016.