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.