Willie ‘Bowler’ Walsh was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1912 until 1915.

Walsh first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork senior team in the early part of the 20th century. He first tasted success in 1912 when he captured a Munster winners’ medal following a 5-2 to 3-2 defeat of Tipperary. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on arch rivals Kilkenny. A close game ensued, however, a Sim Walton goal gave ‘the Cats’ a lift and helped them to a 2-1 to 1-3 victory over Cork and a second consecutive All-Ireland title.

Cork lost their provincial crown in 1913; however, in 1915 ‘the Rebels’ were back. An 8-2 to 2-1 defeat of Clare gave Walsh a second Munster winners’ medal. Cork later lined out in the All-Ireland final with Laois providing the opposition. Walsh’s side were the overwhelming favourites going into the game and took a 3-0 to 2-2 lead at half-time. A terrible downpour hampered the hurling with some players lining out in their overcoats. At full-time Laois were the champions for the first and only time in their history.