Walsh was born in Kingston, Ontario, the son of Michael and Catherine Walsh. Martin had an older sister Loretta and older brother William. Walsh played junior hockey for the localKingston Frontenacs. At seventeen, Walsh entered Queen's University. Walsh played hockey for the Queen's senior hockey team from 1902–1906 and the team won the intercollegiate title in 1904 and 1906. The 1906 squad challenged for the Stanley Cup in 1906 against the Ottawa Senators. Walsh scored four goals in the two games of the series which was won by Ottawa. Walsh also played rugby football for Queen's, and was a member of their 1905 intercollegiate championship team.
Professional career
Walsh turned professional for the 1906–07 season with the Canadian Soo of the International Professional Hockey League, playing only seven games due to injury. Walsh was sought after by several clubs, including the Montreal Shamrocks and Montreal Wanderers, but he decided to sign with Ottawa. He joined the Ottawa Hockey Club in 1907 and played for the club for five seasons, winning Stanley Cups in 1909, 1910 and 1911. He was a high-scoring forward and in 1909, Marty scored 42 goals in 12 games. When the National Hockey Association was formed late in 1909, Renfrew attempted to sign Ottawa's star players including Walsh, but Walsh re-signed with Ottawa. When Walsh re-signed with Ottawa, players Fred Lake and Albert Kerr decided to turn down their Renfrew offers. In 1911, he scored ten goals in a Stanley Cup challenge match against Port Arthur, second only to Frank McGee's 14 in one game. After the 1911 season, Bruce Stuart retired and Walsh was named captain of the team. Walsh played his last professional game with the Senators in 1912, finishing with 11 goals in 12 games for the 1911–12 season. Walsh was recognized for his talent in 1962 when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Post-career
In 1912, Walsh left for Winnipeg with Dubby Kerr to start a cattle ranch. Their plans changed when Kerr was lured out of retirement to play in the new Pacific Coast Hockey Association. There were reports that the PCHA had signed Walsh as well, but he remained retired. In 1913, Walsh moved west to the Edmonton area, where he worked as a paymaster for the Grand Trunk Railway. While in Edmonton, he coached the Edmonton Eskimos team for two seasons. He guided the Eskimos to the 1913 Inter-City Hockey League title and an Allan Cup challenge. In 1914, Walsh fell ill with tuberculosis. In February 1915, Walsh entered the Gravenhurst Sanitorium for treatment, but when admitted, the doctors estimated he had only a short time left to live. Walsh died on March 27, 1915. His remains were transported to Kingston for burial in St. Mary's Cemetery after a funeral at St. Mary's Cathedral. At his death, Walsh's only relative was his sister Loretta Keaney of Sudbury.
