1950-51: First Team Breakthrough
Walter Durkan progressed through the ranks in Oriel Park in the early 1950s to challenge established goalkeepers Malachy Shortt and George Brennan. By the start of the 1950-51 season he had broke through to the first team and made his debut on the 20th August 1950 in 1-0 defeat by Drums in the Dublin City Cup. Walter held on to the number one jersey for most of the season apart from a six match spell between January - March 1951 when George Brennan was promoted to the first team line-up. Although this season ended with Dundalk applying for re-election and being eliminated from the FAI Cup in the 2nd Round, Walter was to pick up his first medal in the Leinster Senior Cup. After defeating Bohemians 5-2 and Transport 3-2 in earlier rounds, Dundalk took on St Pats on St Stephen's Day in Dalymount Park. Goals from Jimmy Gilbert and Leo McDonagh were enough to win the cup after a 2-1 win in which Water excelled. At the end of the season Dundalk travelled to Wales for the "Festival of Britain" tournament and Walter was unlucky enough to break a bone in his hand during a match with Chester.
1951-52: The "Hand Of Walter"
Walter recovered to be fit for the start of the 1951-52 season. Dundalk defeated Drums 2-1 in the President's Cup Final on the opening day of the season. While Dundalk again suffered in the league campaign, the FAI Cup was to offer considerable consolation and featured some of the most famous matches in the club's history.
St Pat's provided the opposition in the opening round on the 17th February in Oriel Park. St Pat's legend Shay Gibbons scored two early goals to put the visitors in control before goals from Paddy Mullen and Johnny Fearon put Dundalk level. Shortly after Fearon's equaliser, Jack Breen scored to put Pats ahead...but, as revealed by Jim Murphy in his The History Of Dundalk FC, defender Jackie McCourt had "accidently" barged into the referee which resulted in him missing Walter Durkan scooping the ball back from well over the line and back into play. The famous photograph taken by Malachy Bellew clearly showed that Pat's had a clear goal ignored. To rub salt into St Pat's wounds Joe Martin set up Leo McDonagh for a late winner to send the home crowd into hesterics. As for the photographer who had his timely snap in the national papers....the Dundalk Management Committee banned him from Oriel Park!
Cup Success
Walter played in the 4-0 win over AOH Cork in the next round with two goals each from Johnny Fearon and Joe Martin. Sadly for Walter, his Mother passed away which resulted in a below par performance in the semi-final against Waterford United and he was at fault for both Waterford goals. Luckily his team-mates came to the rescue with a last minute equaliser. Walter was rested for the replay in Dalymount Park on the 1st April with Eddie McKenna taking his place. In one of the most incredible games in the club's history Dundalk came from 3-1 down to win 6-4. Walter was re-called into the side for the FAI Cup Final against Cork Athletic on the 20th April and produced an excellent performance in a 1-1 draw. In the replay three days later goals from Fearon, Maloney and Mullen gave Dundalk the cup! According to the Dundalk Democrat's match report, Walter was Dundalk's top performer on the day. Although at one stage he gave the Dundalk supporters a scare when, seconds after making an excellent save from Lennox, his throw out rebounded off the Cork striker and rebounded inches over the crossbar!
Final Days At Dundalk
Walter was selected, alongside team-mate Fergus Moloney, to play in a League of Ireland selection XI against a touring USA team. The League of Ireland won 4-0. When his re-signing with Dundalk delayed until September, Walter was forced to play second fiddle to new signing from Shamrock Rovers, Baker. Walter had to wait until the 16th November and a 2-2 draw away to Sligo Rovers before making a return to the team. While Walter was in the reserves he actually played in a centre-forward position with Eamon Darcy playing in goal. The man who Walter dislodged in the Dundalk side, George Brennan, had broke his leg playing for Glenavon and Walter soon went up North to take his place again.
Walter emigrated to the United States in the 1960s and went on to become a professional referee. Walter has also been President of the Irish-American club in Washington DC.
Walter has been known to keep up with events in Oriel Park and has visited home on a number of occasions. Most memorably he attended the 1952 FAI Cup Team re-union held in Oriel Park in March 2002.
