the pundits’ favourites to retain the title. Jimmy Doyle had other ideas, however, as he scored ten points and set up Seán McLoughlin for a goal. Tipperary’s fourteen-point winning margin, 5-13 to 2-8, was the biggest All-Ireland final win since Tipperary had overwhelmed Laois in the 1949 decider. Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1965, however, the team bounced back in 1966 with Walsh collecting his first National Hurling League medal and a third Leinster title. This victory allowed Kilkenny to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where arch-rivals Cork provided the opposition. It was the first meeting of these two great sides since 1947 and ‘the Cats’ were installed as the firm favourites. In spite of this two goals by Colm Sheehan and a third from John O'Halloran gave Cork a merited 3-9 to 1-10 victory over an Eddie Keher-inspired Kilkenny. 1967 proved to be a life-changing year for Walsh. He began the year by picking up a fourth Leinster title before lining out in a fourth All-Ireland final at Croke Park. Tipperary were Kilkenny’s opponents on the day, however, by this stage Tipp’s pool of players was ageing and the county’s hurling fortunes were in decline. Walsh was charged with the task of marking Tony Wall and 'the Cats' proved more than a match for the Munster champions. Goals from Paddy Moran, Martin Brennan and Walsh gave Kilkenny a significant lead, however, with four minutes left in the game disaster struck. Walsh was struck in the face by Wall's hurley and fell to the ground. Blood was pouring out of his left eye and he had no choice but to leave the field. In his absence Kilkenny went on to win the game and laid to rest a bogey that Tipperary had over Kilkenny since 1922. Walsh was rushed to the Dublin eye and ear hospital where he immediately underwent surgery to remove his eye. He recovered from that horrific injury, however, the loss of his eye resulted in the end of a very promising hurling career. Provincial Walsh also lined out with Leinster in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won one Railway Cup medal in 1967. References 1944 births Living people Thomastown hurlers Kilkenny inter-county hurlers Leinster inter-provincial hurlers All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners