The death has occurred of Ralph Walker, one of Ireland's leading hockey players in the 1940s and '50s. Gaining 17 caps before his career was cut short by injury, he was a member of the last Irish side (1949) to win the Triple Crown, beating England 3-2 at Londonbridge Road. An outstanding inside forward in that era, he had the distinction of scoring three goals against Holland.

On the club scene, he won six Irish Senior Cup medals with Dublin YMCA, the last as a veteran of the 1965 team which beat Portrush in a replay. He also had the satisfaction of seeing his son, right-winger Stuart, representing Ireland 33 times and then his grandson Andrew playing at under-18 level. Ralph Walker's death on Thursday, aged 77, follows the passing last month of another notable figure, Vine Sanderson. In his nine appearances for Ireland at left half, he played in every match in the Triple Crown winning seasons in 1937, '38 and '39.