Dunc Walsh
Year Inducted: 2011
Birthdate: June 6, 1963 -
Town/City: Concord, NH
The Bishop Brady High grad that went on to turn its cross-town rival into a Division I power, Dunc has been a fixture on the ice in Concord for over 40 years.
Dunc grew up on the frozen sheet at Everett Arena, playing at all levels in the Concord Youth Hockey Association. A playmaker with a keen eye for the net, Dunc took his talents to Brady in the fall of 1977, where he became an instant factor for the Green Giants. As a sophomore, he played an integral part in leading the Green Giants to the Division I state championship game against Concord High. The two teams had split their two meetings in the regular season, with Dunc scoring the winner in a 2-0 victory over the Crimson Tide in the second meeting. Unfortunately, “we didn’t play very well,” according to Walsh, and Brady fell to Concord, 6-1, in what still stands as the only meeting the two teams have ever had in a state championship game. It was just the second title game appearance for Brady in its history.
“The atmosphere was unbelievable,” he said. “The build-up for the whole city was incredible with all the newspaper articles and everything. There must have been 3,000 people at Snively Arena. It was just one of those games, they got up early on us and we didn’t bring our best game. But that’s an atmosphere and a game that I will never forget.”
Dunc and the Green Giants returned to the finals again the following season, but were met by a strong Manchester Central team. Brady got there again the following season, this time against Manchester Central, but fell by the identical 6-1 score in what was the first of back-to-back championships for the Little Green.
After graduating from Brady in 1981, Dunc headed north to play for Plymouth State College (now Plymouth State University). He still ranks first in goals in a season (29), assists in a season (37) and points in a season (66) – all of which came during his senior year (1985-86).
It was during his senior year that he guided the Panthers all the way to the ECAC North championship game. And while Plymouth State fell to Curry College, 5-2, the 19-6-0 record still stands as the best season in team history.
In four years at Plymouth State – the final two he served as its captain – Dunc racked up 62 goals, 75 assists and 137 points, ranking second on the all-time list. Dunc was inducted into the Panthers Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
It didnt take long for Dunc to find a job coaching the sport he spent most of his life playing. After graduating Plymouth State, Dunc was named the assistant coach to Tom Walton at Concord for the 1986-87 season. His served as an assistant for the Crimson Tide for four years before taking over as head coach for the 1990-91 season.
About to begin his 22nd season behind the bench, Dunc has accumulated an overall record of 364-116-14. He’s led the Crimson Tide to a total of 14 semifinal appearances and six state championships.
Dunc won his first championship in only his second season as Concord’s bench boss, beating St. Thomas, 3-2, in overtime. He made a return trip with the Tide in 1993 and 1995, falling short on each occasion to Hanover (in double overtime) and Manchester Memorial, respectively.
Dunc taking the Tide to the finals became a regular occurrence for the rest of the decade. Concord won the state championship in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. He also led the Tide to the title game in 2000, but fell to archrival Bishop Guertin by a goal.
Two years ago he picked up his sixth plaque when Concord pulled off an upset of Exeter, 1-0.