Eugene Walsh

An officer with the Garda Síochána (Gardaí), the national police and security service of the Republic of Ireland, heavyweight boxer Eugene Walsh was unlucky to be in his prime at the same time as one of Ireland’s all-time great heavyweights, Gerry Ó Colmáin. Walsh was beaten by Ó Colmáin in the Irish Championship final in both 1948 and 1950, and when he reached his third final in 1954 it was Jim Robinson who thwarted Walsh’s chance of winning the elusive title. Walsh did, however, win the national police heavyweight title at Wembley in 1950. He was also the European police champion and in 1953 regained the national title.

An established Irish international since making his début against Spain in 1948, Walsh was reserve to Ó Colmáin at the London Olympics. Shortly after the Games, Walsh twice fought the American heavyweight Norvel Lee in the dual international at Dublin. Lee won on points both times. Walsh, who had an interest in greyhound racing, died on Christmas Day 1997. His wife Kate was Lord Mayor of Celbridge, County Kildare at the time, having taken office in 1983.