Fáilte chuig gaa.ie - suíomh oifigiúil CLG

Oral History

John Joe Walsh

John Joe Walsh talks about his GAA playing days in Mayo, Kildare and Westmeath and his role as PRO for the Leinster Council. He grew up in a rural part of Mayo, between Swinford and Kiltimagh and went to school in St. Nathy’s in Ballaghaderreen where he was a boarder. John Joe’s family were moved to Kildare to a Land Commission area in 1956 and he began playing for St. Laurence’s. During his playing career he played at inter-county level for Kildare, Mayo and Westmeath. He discusses the early development of St. Laurence’s as a club and his involvement in the administration side of the game, beginning with his work for Bord na Móna. John Joe discusses the nature of county board meetings in the early 1960s and recalls the types of issues that arose during this period. He reflects on how he became involved with the Leinster Council and outlines the important function that it serves in the development of the GAA. John Joe talks about the development of St. Laurence’s in modern times and discusses how the game has changed over the years.