There is deep sadness in Ballylinan this week following the passing of one of the hugely popular and well-known Mick ‘Slippy’ Walsh.
Mr Walsh, of Sheadogue in Ballylinan, passed away following an illness on Thursday, August 3.
Beloved husband and best friend of Sheila, Mick is the much loved father of Ned, Catherine, Gérard, Oliver and Aidan.
His club Ballylinan , for who he player for a represented for much of his life, have take to social media and penned a beautiful tribute to the late Mick Walsh.
They said:” It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Mick ‘Slippy’ Walsh, a former Club President, current Club Vice-President and Ballylinan Gael.
“Mick made a huge contribution as a player with Ballylinan and was in the full back line that claimed the 1956 Laois Junior Football Championship with victory over Colt.
“This win returned Ballylinan to the Intermediate ranks in 1957 where we progressed to the Intermediate Final against our neighbours Barrowhouse. Mick played that final in the full forward line and Ballylinan won 2-09 to 2-04.
“After a couple of years in the Senior ranks we found ourselves back in the Intermediate grade again in 1961, but only for a short visit.
“Mick was back in the full back line with another Club stalwart Oliver Brennan beside him and Ballylinan had a defence that would just conceded 1-02 in the 1961 Laois Intermediate Final against Kilcavan and we won that final on the scoreline of 2-12 to 1-02.
“Mick was selected to play with Laois during this period and also helped Ballylinan win a number of tournaments which were a big part of the GAA landscape at that time.
“There isn’t a player of a certain vintage in Ballylinan that doesn’t remember being brought to juvenile matches in the back of Slippy’s Peugeot Van.
“There were many times it felt like the whole team was in the back of that van and there was always a scramble to get into it when Mick pulled up at Fitzy’s Corner.
“It will be hard to imagine a Ballylinan game at any grade without Mick and Sheila together parked on the bank or sitting in the stand but we do know that Mick will be looking down with great pride on his many grandchildren as they wear the Green and Gold for many years to come.
“We wish to pass on our deepest sympathy to Mick’s wife Sheila, his children Ned, Catherine, Ger, Oliver and Aidan, his sisters Kit and Anna, his daughters-in-law Margaret, Martina and Alison, son-in-law Mike, Ned’s partner Catherine, his grandchildren Gary, Padraig, David, Lisa, Conor, Joey, Mikey, Bobby, Danny and Zack, his great-grandchildren Charlie and Paisley and his nieces and nephews.
“May you rest in peace Slippy.”
Mick will repose at his residence (R14 HX90) and rosary will be at 8pm on Friday evening (August 4).
Removal on Saturday afternoon to arrive at St. Anne’s Church, Ballylinan for Requiem Mass at 1pm.
The mass will be livestreamed on the Ballyadams Facebook page with burial afterwards in St. Anne’s Cemetery.
