At the age of four, after already kicking a ball on Walsh’s Hill, Keith move down the meadow to the “Hog” field which helped developed some great Laurentian soccer players like Herb Slaney, Alonzo Walsh, Jack Fitzpatrick, Albert Kettle, Frank Tobin and of course his father, Keith Walsh Senior and grandfather, Fred Walsh.

From the “Hog”, Keith moved to the big Laurentian pitches where his played in the various divisions of Minor Soccer. Some of the players he played with at that time were Vic Kelly, Jeff Kelly, Gordie Farrell, Darryl Wells, Phil Molloy and the late Dwayne Beck. Keith, unlike his Dad, who was a superb striker, was developed in minor soccer as a wing back defender. He was very proud of winning the “Most Improvement Award” as an Under 12 player and was even more proud of being a member of the Under 16 team and two Under 18 teams that won Provincial Championships. His coaches were Jim Loder, Tony Loder, Keith Farrell, Junior Edwards Joe Slaney and the late Gerard Quirke. Keith was never one for individual honours but always considered the team to be more important than himself. It’s that quality that made Keith Walsh one of the greatest fans and supporters of the St. Lawrence Laurentians.

Although Keith played Intermediate soccer for the Laurentians, he never really took the games serious enough to play 1st Division. There’s no doubt with the family history of soccer he certainly could have but he decided with his very likeable personality he was going to play a major role in supporting and cheering the Laurentians to their many Provincial titles. He didn’t stop there either, he attending many National tournaments and became known across Canada as one of the greatest fans to support any team in this great country of ours.

Keith served on the executive of the St. Lawrence Soccer Association from 1997 to 2000 as Field Maintenance Director and the field was always in tip-top shape for any games that were played in St. Lawrence. As a director, Keith was one of the best members involved in fundraisers. With his personality and perpetual smile, he always seemed to raise more money than anyone else.

After he injured a knee in an Intermediate game, Keith turned to officiating. He was always available to referee minor soccer games and mostly officiated in the middle for the Intermediate and Masters games. He ran the line in 1st Division games but he was in the middle for one Challenge Cup game between St. Lawrence and Grand Bank.

When Keith moved to Carbonear, he still maintained his involvement in Soccer by helping to develop soccer in that area and was always available to officiate at games. He still maintained close ties with the Laurentians and never missed a game. His loyalty to his beloved Laurentians and his great contribution to cheering his team on was always inspirational to the “boys in blue” on the field. Even when he officiated he would always join the boys for refreshments after the game.

He was a great contributor to the St. Lawrence Laurentians web site by always writing things on the “Forum” He had many nicknames on this site and often created controversy by answering his own questions with another one of his nicknames. Keith loved his camera and with his pictures at soccer games he was also a great contributor to “Gord Dunphy’s Blog” Gord always gave Keith credit for all of his pictures that were posted.

His wife Angie was always supportive of Keith’s involvement with his Laurentians. She certainly went out of her way to make sure that he was at all the games to cheer on his “boys in blue”.

Keith died way too early from cancer and if you read all the tributes written about him by people from all over the province and country it will tell you how much he was loved and respected in the grand old game of soccer.>/P>

Keith’s brothers, Leon and Corey and sister, Amanda have also played for the Laurentians making the contributions of the Walsh family a great one to the history of soccer in St. Lawrence. His father, Keith, grandfathers, Fred Walsh and Dave Lambert, Uncles Jack and Alonzo Walsh and Arch Slaney, along with Uncle-in-law, Kevin Lundrigan and grandfather-in-law Jack Lundrigan also made major contributions to the St. Lawrence Laurentians.

Keith joins his Aunt Loretta (Lollie) Walsh on the St. Lawrence Laurentians Wall of Honour.