Mullingar man shares sporting memories in new book
For James McWalter, sport has been a lifelong passion, and now the Mullingar man has put his experiences into print with his new book, My Sporting Memories.
Printed last October, the book delves into James’s experiences as a devoted fan of football, snooker, and golf. “I’ve been selling it to friends, family, and a few of the lads out at the golf club,” he says. “It’s had a great reception so far.”
The book is a trip down memory lane, beginning with James’s earliest sporting recollections. “I remember watching Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 in the 1977 FA Cup final,” he recalls. “That match started me off as a Manchester United fan. Since then, I’ve been to matches at Old Trafford and watched plenty on TV.”
Beyond football, James’s love of snooker and golf also shines through. He fondly recalls attending the Irish Masters at Goffs in County Kildare and witnessing thrilling moments at the Irish Open and the 2002 Ryder Cup. Among his most cherished memories is being at the British Open in 2011 when Darren Clarke triumphed.
“I’ve always followed Irish golfers like Christy O’Connor Jnr, Des Smyth, Eamonn Darcy, Ronan Rafferty, Philip Walton,” he says. “More recently, I’ve been keeping an eye on Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy.”
Asked to pick a standout moment, James points to a match between Manchester United and Manchester City in 2011.
“Wayne Rooney’s famous overhead kick – I was behind the goal for that. People still talk about it, and I can say, ‘I was there.’ I went with the local supporters club from Mullingar.”
A long-time member of Mullingar Golf Club, James has been part of the local sporting scene for nearly 40 years. “I’ve won a few prizes over the years,” he recalls.
Originally from Mayo, James moved to Mullingar when he was nine and considers it home.
For those looking to dive into his sporting stories, My Sporting Memories is available for €10 at Just Books in Mullingar or directly from James himself.
Whether you’re a fan of football, snooker, or golf, this book offers a heartfelt and nostalgic look at some of the most iconic moments in sport, as seen through the eyes of a devoted supporter.