Sean Kennedy of Ballinclar Glenmore
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Dominic Fitzgerald of Rathinure, Glenmore, Part II
Part I was posted on 8 September 2025 and focused on 1984 to 1987. Today, we are going to focus on 1988-1994. During this period important Kilkenny hurlers such as D.J. Carey and Christy Heffernan were also playing handball and a young D.J. Carey is in one of the photos below.
1988
O’Loughlin’s Juvenile Tournament
The finals of the O’Loughlin’s juvenile handball tournament were played before a capacity crowd in early January 1988. According to the Kilkenny People, the game everyone had been looking forward to was the under 14 single decider between two of the county’s best players, Dominic Fitzgerald and Kenneth Cotterell of Glenmore. Kenneth started brilliantly and led 8-1 at one stage. The powerful Fitzgerald pulled back and won 15-13. Dominic dominated the early stage of the second game, but Kenneth recovered and won 15-9. The crunch game was a thriller. Both tired and the stronger Dominic Fitzgerald eventually won 15-11 (Kilkenny People, Fri. 15 Jan. 1988, p. 12).
All-Ireland Juvenile Handball Final
Dominic played in the juvenile All-Ireland in April 1988. According to the Kilkenny People, he knew that he had to be brilliant to beat Ciaran Curran (Tyrone) in under 14. “While Dominic put in one of his best performances that year it was not enough …he lost 15-5, 15-7” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 6 May 1988, p. 15).
Glenmore: Kilkenny Féile n Gael Championship 1988
There was a close contest in the County Féile n Gael championship at Talbot’s Inch where Glenmore became the new Kilkenny County Champions in 1988. The Glenmore Club (Dominic Fitzgerald, Kenneth Cottrell, Tomás Hanrahan and Eamon Aylward) had a hard semi-final game with Talbot’s Inch when both teams finished level in games and aces. However, Glenmore easily won the play-off and then defeated Windgap in the final. The Glenmore team represented Kilkenny in the Féile n Gael all Ireland championship in Offaly in June 1988, but did not make it to the finals (Kilkenny People, Fri. 20 May 1988, p. 15).
Under 14 County Kilkenny Champion
Dubbed an “Alley Cracker” by the New Ross Standard, Dominic won the Co. Kilkenny handball title at under 14 and represented the county in the Leinster semi-final on Sunday 28 August 1988 (New Ross Standard, Thur. 25 Aug. 1988, p. 17).
Under 14 Doubles Millennium Tournament
Dominic partnered by Damien McMahon, Wicklow, surprised an accomplished Offaly pair, C. O’Brien and B. Doherty in the under 14 doubles millennium trials at Croke Park on Sunday. The seeded Offaly pair were expected to advance to the televised finals on December 18 at Croke Park, but Dominic and Damien combined well to defeat them 44-22 (Kilkenny People, Fri. 18 Nov. 1988, p. 11).
1988 Kilkenny Juvenile Achievement Awards
Dominic received the Kilkenny Juvenile Board’s Achievement Award following an excellent year in the under 14 grade. Dominic won Leinster Championships in under 14 singles, in the 40X20 and 60X30 courts. He also combined with Damien McMahon (Wicklow) to win the Millennium juvenile tournament in December. Dominic was selected on the Rest of Ireland team to play Ulster in the Ulster Foundation tournament in Newry in April.
This article also highlighted D.J. Carey, of Goresbridge, who received the Kilkenny County Handball Board’s Achievement Award for 1988. D.J. won the 40X20 minor singles and doubles All-Irelands and also the senior college’s all Ireland singles and doubles championships. He represented Ireland in the under 19 U.S.H.A. junior championships in America over Christmas and did very well (Kilkenny People, Fri. 17 Feb. 1989, p. 14).
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The photo to the right appeared in the Kilkenny People (Fri. 3 March 1989, p. 15). It represents the Kilkenny County Handball Board’s achievements awards for 1988. (left to right) Sean Kennedy, Chairman, Juvenile Board; Dominic Fitzgerald, Juvenile Award; Eamonn Hanrahan, County Chairman; Tommy O’Brien, Leinster Administrator; Con Moore, County Secretary and winner of special achievement award for administration; D.J. Carey, senior award and Mary Moore.
1989
At the Goesbridge handball club’s juvenile tournament in January 1989, Dominic played an exhibition game against Stephen Barcoe (Goresbridge) who won the O’Loughlin’s tournament a few weeks prior. “This was a great game. Dominic edged ahead to win 22-19” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 20 Jan. 1989, p. 13).
Glenmore Handball Club
Members of the Glenmore Handball Club did well in the Leinster championship quarter finals against Carlow and Laois at the end of April 1989. Kenneth Cotterell, a promising young player won a one-sided under 14 singles by 15-5, 15-1. Dominic did not have things as easy against Tommy Donohoe although winning 15-13, 15-13 in the under 16 match. In the special novices E. Dowling, Glenmore, beat N. Harding (Comer) in the 40X20 county championship. Sean Kennedy got a walkover from Jim Duggan (New Ross Standard, Thur. 4 May 1989, p. 27). Unfortunately Dominic was defeated in the Leinster Under 16 finals played on the 20th of May 1989 (New Ross Standard, Thur. 25 May 1989, p.19).
Kilkenny County Handball Finals
It was reported at the special novice doubles of the County Finals that this final turned out to be a contest between four of “our best juvenile players” when Dominic Fitzgerald and Kenneth Cotterell of Glenmore overcame Michael Maher and Colm Love (Kilkenny People, Fri. 1 Sept. 1989, p. 14) in an exciting game. Dominic Fitzgerald and Sean Kennedy, Glenmore, had a close victory over Tom Feeny and Sean Kiely, Kilfane, in the novice doubles (New Ross Standard, Thur. 7 Sept. 1989, p. 21).
Leinster Juvenile Handball
Enda Hawe, Niall Kennhy, Alan Hawe (Windgap), Kenneth Cotterell and Dominic Fitzgerald (Glenmore) completely comminated the Leinster juvenile league in Dublin on Saturday when they annexed the title for the fifth successive year. Dominic and Kenneth won this title an unprecedented four times, Alan Hawe three times, Enda and Nial twice and it was Willie Murphy’s first honour (Kilkenny People, Fri. 8 Sept. 1989, p. 14).
“Everyone knew that the meeting of Kilkenny and Offaly in the under 16’s doubles Leinster final could constitute an All Ireland final, as they would be the best players in the country. Joe Daly, O’Loughlin’s, and Dominic Fitzgerald, Glenmore did not combine well, and lost to the excellent Conor O’Brien and Brian Doherty, Offaly 11-15 , 15-10, 11-15 in a game which could have gone either way. The Kilkenny pair did not play up to scratch” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 13 Oct. 1989, p. 20)
1990
Glenmore Handball Club
The newspapers reported that Christy Heffernan was going to be seen in a different role in March 1990 as he was playing in the novice singles handball championship. Dominic Fitzgerald and Kenneth Cotterell were playing in the under 17 juvenile trials at O’Loughlin’s Court on the 14th of March 1990 (New Ross Standard, Thur. 8 March 1990, p. 18).
The Glenmore Club played matches at Mullinavat. Sean Kennedy won his match in the novice singles against D. Forristal , Kilfane., while Dominic Fitzgerald defeated another Kilfane player, R. Ryan. Kenneth Cotterell got a walkover (New Ross Standard, Thur. 31 May 1990, p. 21).
Leinster Juvenile Handball
Kilkenny achieved seven Leinster juvenile handball finals as a result of their successes in Cloughbawn at the end of March 1990. They include under 16 doubles partner Kenneth Cotterell and Dominic Fitzgerald of Glenmore. They won their match at Cloughbawn in two straight games—15-10, 15-2 (New Ross Standard, Thur. 5 April 1990, p. 18).
In October 1990 Kilkenny crashed with seven defeats in eight Leinster finals. “However, the county can be proud of some displays, especially those of Brendan Walpole …and Dominic Fitzgerald and Ken Cottrell, Glenmore. In the under 16 doubles, Dominic Fitzgerald and Kenneth Cottrell, never reached the standard which they are capable of and still were unlucky to lose 15-9, 7-15 and 15-9 to All Ireland champions, Conor O’Brien and Brian Doherty, Offaly (Kilkenny People, Fri. 26 Oct. 1990, p. 15).
Good Counsel Handball
The next month, Dominic Fitzgerald and Kenneth Cotterell created history when they gave Good Counsel College, New Ross its first All Ireland junior “A” Colleges Championship at Croke Park. They beat Roscommon C.B.S. by two straight games in the final 21-11, 21-7 (New Ross Standard, Thur. 24 May 1990, p. 17). Dominic was also on the Good Counsel Senior Football team (New Ross Standard, Thur. 6 Dec. 1990, p. 21).
Kilkenny County Under 16 Doubles Champions
At the festival of juvenile handball (60X30) county championships played at various venues over two weeks. Dominic Fitzgerald and Kenneth Cottrell, Glenmore won the under 16 doubles. The Kilkenny teams selected to play in the Leinster League at the Garda depot in September included: Kenneth Cottrell, Glenmore and Enda Hawe, Windgap in the Under 15 (Kilkenny People, Fri. 31 Aug. 1990, p, 7).
Glenmore Under 21 Football
When Glenmore got through to the 1990 under 21 football final (played in 1991), after beating Thomastown and Piltown, one member of the winning Glenmore team was Dominic Fitzgerald (New Ross Standard, Thur. 26 Dec. 1991, p. 22).
1991
There was a three-pronged assault by Wexford schools on the Leinster 60X30 Colleges Handball Championships which began the last week of November 1991. Through to the provincial finals in senior A singles was Dominic Fitzgerald (Good Counsel, New Ross). Raymond Breen and Ken Cottrell (Good Counsel) went through in the senior A doubles (New Ross Standard, Thur. 5 Dec. 1991, p. 62).
International Trials
The international trials to select players in under 15, 17 and 19 singles were played at various venues in November 1991. The winners secured a seat on the plane to Dallas, Texas in December to compete in the U.S. championship. In under 17, Dominic Fitzgerald, Glenmore did well, but was no match for Ciaran Curran, Tyrone (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Nov. 1991, p. 21).
All Ireland Handball Colleges Final
Good Counsel, had students in two All Ireland Handball Colleges Finals in 1991. Ken Cotterell and Raymond Breen, beat Belmullet in the semi-finals of the A division, but lost to St. Patrick’s Cavan in the final (New Ross Standard, Thur. 19 Dec. 1991, p. 39). Dominic Fitzgerald brought further glory to himself and to Glenmore when he won the All Ireland 60X30 senior singles championship at Croke Park. He has already won two All Ireland titles. He beat his Cavan opponent by 21-10, 21-18 (New Ross Standard, Thur. 12 Dec. 1991, p. 29).
1992
The county handball championships got off to a good start in early January 1992. In minor singles Dominic Fitzgerald, Glenmore, beat Willie O’Neill, of O’Loughlin’s Club, 21-6, 21-17 (Kilkenny People, Fri. 10 Jan. 1992, p. 12).
Glenmore Successes
Glenmore was celebrating an All Ireland club senior hurling success at their annual meeting in January 1992. It was noted that along with the senior success, the junior hurlers won the championship. Thus, Glenmore became the first club in Kilkenny to field teams in the top two championships simultaneously. The club provided five players for the Kilkenny team that lost the senior All Ireland to Tipperary., while Seamus Dollard won a minor All Ireland and Bridget Mullally won a second senior camogie All Ireland medal. “The chairman also extended good wishes to Dominic Fitzgerald and Kenneth Cotterell who won Leinster and All Ireland Handball Honours” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 31 Jan. 1992, p. 14).
Good Counsel Handball
Two Good Counsel students won the senior doubles Leinster Final against Kilkenny CBS. The double players were Kenneth Cottrell and Raymond Breen. “Dominic Fitzgerald was unlucky to lose 2-1 in the Leinster Senior Singles semi-final in Borris” (New Ross Standard, Thur. 20 Feb. 1992, p. 54).
1993
Very few newspaper articles could be located regarding Dominic in 1993. By this time he had left Good Counsel and was pursuing a degree in hotel management. In 1993 Dominic was in Switzerland working. He came home from Switzerland for the All Ireland and spent a holiday with his parents (New Ross Standard, Thur. 23 Sept. 1993, p. 26). Given the date of this article it is assumed he was home for the hurling All Ireland.
1994
In June 1994 the Kilkenny People published a short article regarding Dominic. “Mr. Dominic Fitzgerald, youngest son of John and Rita Fitzgerald, Rathinure, who had been studying hotel management in Switzerland for two years has arrived home to complete his studies. He arrived in time for the funeral of his aunt, Bridget Fitzgerald. Dominic was educated in Glenmore N.S. and Good Counsel College, New Ross and later in N.I.H.E. Limerick (Limerick University.)”
“He will study hotel courses in a Kilkenny Hotel in the next few weeks and then do his final courses in Limerick University. He won single and doubles in the Kilkenny handball championship also Leinster and won two All-Ireland medals. He won Leinster and All Ireland championships in hurling and football with Good Counsel College, and helped Glenmore in Minor, Junior and under 21 in both games” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 10 June 1994, p. 21).
The obituary of Dominic’s aunt, Miss Bridget Fitzgerald (c. 1928 -1994) provides that Dominic and his elder brother Peter were the Readers at the Requiem Mass. It was also noted that Mr. Liam Aylward, T.D., Minister of Sport, was present at the removal (New Ross Standard, 2 June 1994, p. 38). The complete obituary may be read on our F Glenmore Family page.
The New Ross Standard later in 1994, noted Dominic won trophies in both grades of hurling and football with Good Counsel College, New Ross and many underage championships in Kilkenny also in both grades. “He also won 4 Leinster and 3 All Ireland trophies for handball” (New Ross Standard, Thur. 6 Oct. 1994, p. 33).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Special thanks to Dominic’s parents John and Rita Fitzgerald for the photos and information they provided.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Dominic Fitzgerald of Rathinure, Glenmore, Part I
While sorting through some loose newspaper clippings in Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) vast collection a clipping was found regarding Dominic Fitzgerald, of Rathinure, Glenmore, who won an All-Ireland in handball. Over 130 newspaper articles, between the years 1984 and 1994, were found and read. As it transpired Dominic was the first Glenmore Handball Club member to win an All-Ireland in handball. In addition to handball, Dominic won Leinster and All Ireland championships in hurling and football with Good Counsel College, and helped Glenmore in Minor, Junior and under 21 hurling and football. To keep this post to a manageable length only select handball games will be highlighted, and Part I focuses on the years 1984 to 1987.
Glenmore Handball Club only came into existence in 1978. According to the Kilkenny People (Fri. 3 May 1985, p. 17) the first set of All-Ireland handball finals commenced in May 1985. In 1994, the Kilkenny People (Fri. 10 June 1994, p. 21) reported that Dominic won single and doubles in the Kilkenny handball championships, also Leinster championships, and won two All-Ireland medals. The New Ross Standard (Thur. 6 Oct. 1994, p. 33) later that same year reported that Dominic won 4 Leinster and 3 All Ireland trophies for handball.
Made Glenmore Club History
The first article we located regarding Dominic and handball was published in September 1984. The article also provides information concerning other Glenmore players. The Division B matches of the Lisdowney handball tournament, sponsored by Coca-Cola, commenced 17 September 1984. In the first-round singles: P.J. O’Connor (Glenmore) beat Nigel Dunpjy (Lisdowney). Dominic Fitzgerald (Glenmore) lost to Kevin Wall (Lisdoney). In the doubles P.J. O’Connor and Shay Vereker (Glenmore) beat Brian Whyte and Andy Doyle (Talbot’s Inch) (Kilkenny People, Fri 21 Sept. 1984, p. 15).
However, just five months later, at the end of February 1985, Dominic made Glenmore Club history when he became the first juvenile from his club to represent Kilkenny in handball. “He would have preferred a less talented rival—his Wicklow opponent Damien McMahon won the under 12 Leinster title last year, and is still under age this year. So, Dominic was up against it from the start. He gave more than could be fairly be expected of him, and showed fine, two-handed play in some long and hotly disputed rallies. He was never really in with a decent chance of beating his vastly more experienced rival and was beaten 2-nil” (Kilkenny People (Fri. 3 May 1985, p. 17). Ironically, Damian McMahon (Wicklow) would later become Dominic’s doubles partner.
Playing for Kilkenny
Selectors Sean Kennedy (Glenmore) and Bobby Falsey took charge of the Kilkenny team. They started off strong when Clinton Maher (Talbot’s Inch) and Dominic Fitzgerald (Glenmore), combined at under 11 to defeat Wexford’s Francis Cleary and Paddy O’Connor 11-5. The Wexford pair soon reversed this with an 11-7 win. In other age groups Kilkenny secured four points in the race for the top two spots. Dominic Fitzgerald and Clinton Maher went one better than their first outing when they beat J. and D. O’Brien (Oldtown, Dublin) 11-2, 11-5.
Kilkenny played its last league games against Westmeath. Unfortunately, Fitzgerald and Maher lost 11-6, 11-1. Ultimately Kilkenny and Westmeath met in the final and Westmeath with home court advantage were the favourites. They won their league games 16-5 compared to Kilkenny 11-10. “This form seemed justified” when Clinton Maher and Dominic Fitzgerald lost again. However, this time the gap narrowed considerably. They lost 11-8, 11-4 to give Westmeath a 2-0 lead. Kilkenny won in the tight race. It was noted that Kilkenny scored 64 aces to Westmeath’s 48 in the final and brought the Leinster Division 1 title back to Kilkenny. The newspaper concluded that Clinton Maher and Dominic Fitzgerald “caught a few tartars in their rounds, but played very well and could be a major force in the championships” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 2 Dec. 1985, p. 14).
Leinster Championship Finals 1986
The Kilkenny juveniles at Baltinglass played in the Leinster championship finals. Kilkenny captured four of the six championships they contested. Unfortunately, in the under 12 doubles Dominic Fitzgerald and Clinton Maher were defeated (Kilkenny People, Fri. 3 Oct. 1986, p. 10).
Leinster Championship Finals 1987: First Championship Medals for Glenmore
In 1987, the Kilkenny Juvenile team was comprised of under 11, Kenneth Cottrell (Glenmore) and Michael Clifford (Talbot’s Inch); under 13, James Bourke (O’Loughlin’s) and Dominic Fitzgerald (Glenmore); under 15, Graham O’Brien and Brian Aldridge (Mullinavat). The Kilkenny juvenile team won the Leinster League at Kells. They beat Meath, Louth and Westmeath (Kilkenny People, Fri. 2 Jan. 1987, p. 12).
In April 1987 it was announced that Kilkenny had good fortune at juvenile level when Kilkenny players beat the best of Meath and Louth to assure places for Kilkenny players in seven out of ten Leinster finals. Seán Kennedy, Ballinclare, Glenmore put a lot into juvenile handball in Glenmore. “Kenneth Cottrell and Dominic Fitzgerald did him proud with magnificent wins over strong opposition.”
In the Under 12 singles, Kenneth Cottrel was brilliant when he hammered John Heany of Meath 15-1 and 15-2. The newspaper noted that Kenneth must be favourite to win a title. In the under 13 singles, Dominic Fitzgerald was “up against it” when he played a strong Meath player named Tom O’Connor. In one of the best games of the day, Dominic lost the first game 7-15. “He showed tremendous heart and won the others 15-10 and 15-13” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 3 April 1987, p. 14).
Ultimately, Dominic won the Leinster under 13 singles and Kenneth Cottrell (Aylwardstown) won the under 12 Leinster singles. These were the first Leinster Championship handball medals won by Glenmore Handball Club members (Munster Express, Fri. 17 April 1987, p. 11). Later in the year they went on to win Leinster handball championship medals for the 60X30 grade (Munster Express, Fri. 4 Sept. 1987, p. 14).
First All-Ireland Handball Medal for Glenmore
Later in April 1987, Kilkenny travelled to Monaghan to contest the under 12, 13, 14 and 16 single All Ireland Semi-Finals. “Ken Cotterell was under pressure from the start against M. Finnegan (Cavan) in under 12 singles”. Ken lost 7-15, 3-15. Dominic was in excellent form and easily dismissed P. Cunningham (Donegal) 15-3, 15-12 in the under 13 single semi-final (Kilkenny People, Fri. 17 April 1987, p. 7).
Dominic played in the juvenile handball All-Ireland final at a packed Croke Park on 10 May 1987. Dominic faced a tough opponent in Martin Murphy (Limerick), but Murphy soon knew he was in a battle. They were level again on 10, Dominic looked anxious when he fell 12-10 behind but came back to 12-all and went 13-12 up. Back came Murphy to level on 13. With excitement at fever pitch, Fitzgerald took a very vital first game 15-13 lead. Fitzgerald, serving brilliantly, and killing shots all over the court, went on to record a 15-4 victory. This was a marvellous win for the young Glenmore player (Kilkenny People, Fri. 15 May 1987, p. 24). This represented the first time an All-Ireland came to Glenmore in handball (Munster Express, Fri. 22 May 1987, p. 21).
Mullinavat’s Graham O’Brien made a valiant bid to win the under 16’s title but failed against Martin McLoughlin (Ballina, Co. Tipperary). The senior singles semi-final at Newry was very controversial in 1987. International player, Michael “Ducksie” Walsh was told his game was at 7 p.m. at Newry, but was never informed that the time was moved to 2 p.m. (Kilkenny People, Fri. 15 May 1987, p. 24).
Kilkenny Juvenile Championships at Glenmore 1987
In July 1987, the Kilkenny County Juvenile Championships were played at Glenmore. It was reported that titles were well spread among top clubs “Glenmore court was looking great after its recent painting.” Alan Hawe (Windgap) won the under 11 championship beating D. Cottrell (Glenmore) in the final. Kenneth Cottrell (Glenmore) easily beat Nial Kenny (Windgap) in the under 12 final while his clubmate, Dominic Fitzgerald, had a close encounter with Clive Carroll (Talbot’s Inch) in under 13 winning 15-10, 15-10. Alan Hawe, Kenneth Cottrell, Dominic Fitzgerald and Graham O’Brien all brought off the double as they had won their respective 40X20 county championships earlier in the year (Kilkenny People, Fri. 24 July 1987, p. 14).
Dominic went on to play in the All-Ireland 60X30 Juvenile Championship finals. In the under 13 singles M. Crowe (Limerick) beat Dominic 15-8, 15-13 (Irish Examiner, Tues. 6 Oct. 1987, p. 16).
Glenmore Handball Club 1987 Awards Night
In January 1988, Glenmore Handball Club held a function in the Rue Glen to celebrate their club’s success during 1987 and to mark the tenth anniversary of the club’s founding. County Chairman, Eamon Hanrahan and Leinster Secretary, Tommy O’Brien praised the club’s players and officials on their achievements during the year and especially in 1987 when Dominic Fitzgerald won the club’s first All-Ireland championship in under 13 singles. Dominic also won the Leinster under 13 singles championships in both 60X30 and 40X 20 courts.
County Secretary, Con Moore, presented Dominic with the 1987 juvenile achievement award and complimented coach and trainer Sean Kennedy on the great work that he put into Glenmore and Kilkenny over the years. Kenneth Cottrell also had a magnificent year, winning Leinster under 12 singles in both 60X30 and 40X20 courts. Leinster secretary Tomás Ó Briain presented Kenneth with Kilkenny Crystal in recognition of his achievements in 1987.
“Sean Kennedy the man behind Glenmore handball club, was praised for his work for the club over the years and especially for devoting his time to juvenile members. Dominic Fitzgerald gave a fitting oration to his trainer and Kenneth Cotterell presented Seanie with a silver tankard in recognition of his help in coaching the juvenile players in Glenmore to the standard where they are among the best in Ireland” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Jan. 1988, p. 13).
In Part II we will cover 1988 through 1994 which includes his time playing for Good Council College, New Ross.
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Special thanks to Dominick’s parents, John and Rita Fitzgerald of Rathinure for sharing photos of Dominic and some of Dominick’s trophies and patiently answering my questions about handball. I did not realize there are two different size courts!
Any and all errors are mine, and please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
For a concise history of handball see, Tom O’Connor, “A Brief History of Handball” (GAA Handball).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh