Simon F. "Sim" Walton (4 October 1880 – 27 December 1966) was an Irish hurler who played as a full-forward at senior level for the Kilkenny county team. Born in Tullaroan, County Kilkenny, Walton first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty-two when made his senior debut in the delayed 1900 championship. Walton went on to play a key part for Kilkenny during the team's breakthrough and first golden age, and won seven All-Ireland medals and nine Leinster medals. An All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion, Walton also captained the team to All-Ireland victory in 1911 and 1912. At club level Walton won seven championship medals with Tullaroan. Walton was regarded as one of the top scorers of his generation and, in spite of an absence of records, it is believed he scored upwards of 30 goals. Throughout his career Walton made 49 championship appearances, a Kilkenny record which stood until 24 July 1977 when it was surpassed by Eddie Keher. His retirement came following Kilkenny's defeat by Dublin in the 1919 championship. Walton's grandnephew, Liam Doyle, was an All-Ireland medallist with Clare in 1995 and 1997. Playing career Club Walton played his club hurling with Tullaroan and enjoyed much success during a lengthy career. In 1901 he lined out in his first county championship decider. A high-scoring 5-10 to 3-7 defeat of Threecastles gave Walton his first championship medal. Tullaroan retained the title in 1902, with Walton collecting his second medal following a 3-16 to 0-1 trouncing of Mooncoin. Three-in-a-row proved beyond Tullaroan, however, the team returned to glory in 1904. A comprehensive 6-14 to 1-6 defeat of Piltown saw Walton add a third championship medal to his collection. After losing back-to-back decider in 1905 and 1906, Walton collected a fourth championship medal in 1907 after Mooncoin were defeated by 2-6 to 1-3. Walton won a fifth championship medal in 1910, as Tullaroan defeated Piltown by 7-1 to 3-0. A 4-4 to 2-5 defeat of Mooncoin in 1911 saw Tullaroan retain the title, while Walton collected a sixth championship medal. In 1915 Walton won his seventh and final championship medal, following a 7-2 to 2-2 defeat of Dicksboro. Inter-county Beginnings Walton made his debut for Kilkenny on 29 June 1902. Tipperary provided the opposition in the delayed 1900 All-Ireland semi-final, however, Kilkenny were narrowly defeated by 1-11 to 1-8. In 1903 Walton lined out in his first