Pat Trainor Award for Cork's Jerry Walsh 

Jerry Walsh was born in Rathmore, Mallow, Co. Cork and educated in Rathmore N.S.

 From there he completed his secondary education in Coláiste Iosagáin, Baile Bhuirne.

Jerry began his teacher training in St.Patricks Drumcondra in 1964 and graduated in 1966.

His first teaching post was in Morning Star in Ballyphehane in Cork City, where he began his lifelong involvement in Sciath na Scol Chorcaí.

From the outset he trained football and hurling teams and became an active member of Sciath na Scol. He ,also, joined the committee of Luthchleasa Bhunscoileanna Chorcaí.

Jerry was never one to take a passive role and it wasn’t long before he was an officer in Sciath na Scol. This was long before there was a National Cumann na mBunscol and of course with some other forward thinking teachers ,the idea of a National  Schools’ Body was put in train.

At the time Intercity games were played each year and Cork, Limerick, Dublin ,Galway,Waterford, Tipperary and Dublin took an active part in these annual games .This was to sow the seed of a National Body. At first only a limited number of counties were part of the National Body but it wasn’t long before more counties joined and it lead to the 32 County Board that we have at present. Jerry and his fellow officers in Cork played a very active role in this important development, which I may say garnered little support from county boards and Croke Park , at that time.As time went on they saw the benefit of such a body and Primary school games began to receive funding and recognition for their promotion of our national games in schools throughout the country.

In Cork Jerry continued to work tirelessly for Sciath na Scol and was part of the committee that organised our finals to be played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in a festival of games over a number of days.

This first festival of finals took place in 1984 with a total of seven finals (boys only). It has now grown to 28 Hurling /Camogie Finals and 30 football finals (Girls and Boys). This is just in the greater City Area, as finals are held in North Cork and West Cork Sciath na Scol on Seperate dates.

From small beginnings Sciath na Scol Chorcaí is truly a countywide organisation and this is in no small way due to the dedication and hard work of Jerry.

Jerry retired from teaching over 10 years ago and not long after that was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. While lesser men would have sat back ,Jerry continues to take an active part in all Sciath na Scol activities. This involves attending local meetings ,Provincial and National Meetings. He helps  organise our finals ,Mini Sevens, Indoor Hurling Blitzes Primary Schools’ Sports,Quiz and Primary Games. It goes without saying that he is lifelong G.A.A. supporter and promoter and Cork and Cumann Luthchleas Gael can be thankful to this dedicated Kerryman for his work in the county and nationally.

Níl a leithéid le fail sa taobh seo tire.!