Walsh, Eileen

August 24, 2007
The Late Eileen Walsh Another great GAA family suffered bereavement with the passing of Eileen Walsh, wife of Waterford's All-Ireland winning captain in 1959, the legendary Frankie. If ever a lady carried impeccable GAA credentials with her through life it was Eileen who resided at Roanmore Park in the city. She was sister of the late, great, Philly Grimes, one of the most gifted hurlers this county has ever produced and was a colleague of her husband on that 1959 All-Ireland winning team. Her roots was such that it was as near to certain as made no meaningful difference that the GAA, and most especially the game of hurling, would be an integral part of her life. She proudly saw her son Peter go on to win recognition at county level in all of the grades, and like Frankie he too went on to win many championship honours over the years with his beloved Mount Sion. Eileen, like all members of the Grimes family, was one of those delightful "salt of the earth" people whose company it was ever and always a pleasure to share. Sadly she had been in failing health for some time, but again in keeping with the battling qualities that have always been a trait of her family fought the good fight until the Final Call came last week. The attendances at the removal of her remains, The Requiem Mass, and the burial in Ballygunner cemetery last Friday said all that could ever be said of Eileen, and fittingly too those hugely representative concourses had a major GAA presence. Frankie has lost his lifelong confidante while their five sons, along with the other members of her extended family, have lost someone who was very specially near and dear to them. The rest of us have lost a very valued and sincere friend. Go ndeine Dia trocaire ar a h-anam dilis. Courtesy of the Waterford News and Star 24 August 2007

Most Read Stories