Jimmy Walker 1920 - 2005 James (Jimmy) Walker, whose death occurred on Friday, January 6, at St Louis Nursing Home, Moyderwell, Tralee, was a former outstanding hurler with the Abbeydorney Club. Jimmy was a member of the county minor team which represented Kerry in their only Munster final against Cork in 1938. The following year, 1939, he had the honour of representing Kerry at both minor and senior level. Jimmy was the last surviving member of that team and often recalled the great games in which he played over the years. With his good friend Nicholas Scollard - the duo were named the Terrible Twins - he put the heart crossways in many a defence when going forward with caman and sliothar. "We'd assemble each eve at the sportsfield, Where the clash of at the ash we could hear, Scollard and Walker our idols Faithful sons of the Black and Amber so dear." Aged 85, Jimmy was pre-deceased by his wife Sadie (nee Fitzell) who hailed from the adjoining parish of Kilmoyley. Jimmy was born in Colooney, Co. Sligo and came to Abbeydorney in 1929 where his father John was Station Master. His formative years and education was received in the National School in the village. He received further education from the Christian Brothers at The Green school, Tralee. Jimmy's first achievement were winning Kerry and Munster college medals in football. His interest and love of the game of hurling was nurtured from a young age. Though slight of stature, Jimmy was tough, wiry, determined and skillful when it came to the art of pucking the small ball around the local pitch. He was fortunate to have grown up in a time when Abbeydorney's minor team was in the ascendancy. He made his senior debut for the team in 1937, playing against a Finuge and Listowel selection. Having achieved the status of minor county champions, Jimmy was one of the club members who gained further honours - being selected for the county minor team also. He was very proud of his roots, parish and the history attached to the area in which he grew up. Jimmy joined the army in 1940 where he won an All-Army medal with the 15 Battalion. In the mid-40s he joined CIE and was based in Clare where he played football with Faughs Ennis and hurling with Dalcassains Ennis. He won three senior county football championships in 1946, '47 and '48. He was also successful at hurling and as a result was selected in the Clare junior hurling and football teams. Jimmy once recalled travelling by goods train to Newcastle West from Abbeydorney. Getting a lift to Limerick, walking to Ennis and winning a county football final the next day. That determination and his love of Gaelic games. In 1947 Jimmy won his only hurling medal with Abbeydorney - a junior North Kerry championship. Jimmy was inducted into the Abbeydorney GAA Club's Hall of Fame in 1995. He shares the honour with many of the greats who donned the black and amber of Abbeydorney so proudly in the past. Jimmy took the emigration boat with many of his contemporaries for the building sites in London. He lived in Finsbury Park, North London, and commuted daily to the various jobs where he was employed. Jimmy and Sadie spent close on 30 years across the pond before returning home to Kerry. They settled back in Marian Park, Tralee, where they were happy, content and popular with their neighbours. They both enjoyed the simple pleasures that life bought them. Their children and grandchildren played a very special part in their continued happiness. Jimmy, with his tweed cap titled at an angle on his head, liked to walk down town each morning. He would stop for a chat with friends in Boherbee, discussing the fortunes of the Kerry footballers or Abbeydorney hurlers. Sadly for Jimmy, his beloved Sadie passed away in October 23, 2005. The removal of Jimmy's remains took place from McElligott's Funeral Home to St John's Church on Sunday, January 8 . Following Requiem Mass on Monday, burial took place in Kyrie Eleison Cemetery, Abbeydorney. Jimmy is survived by his sons James, J.J, daughters, grandchildren Jim, Jack, Joe, Eoin, Sarah, daughters-in-law Marie and Rosanne, relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Kerryman. 19-01-06 Tweet

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