James Patrick Ware was born on 23 February 1908, at 84 Barrett's Buildings in Gurranabraher on the northside of Cork, to Mary Ware and Charles Ware, a shoemaker. Both his parents were Corkonians, however, the family moved to Waterford shortly after Ware's birth. He was educated at the De La Salle College.
Playing career
Erin's Own
In 1924, Ware joined the newly-established Erin's Own club. Just four years later, he was goalkeeper on the Erin's Own team that won their first Waterford Senior Championship after an 8-02 to 0-05 defeat of reigning champions Dungarvan. It was the first of nine consecutive championship titles for the club, with Ware lining out in goal for all the subsequent victories over Tallow, Lismore, Dungarvan and Dunhill. Ware won his 10th championship medal, after a lapse of seven years, on 18 October 1942 after a defeat of Lismore in the final. Ware ended his club career by winning back-to-back championship title in 1946 and 1947 after defeats of Brickey Rangers and Clonea.
Waterford
Ware made his first championship appearance for Waterford on 29 May 1927 in a Munster Championship semi-final against Clare. After one of the forward missed a last-minute goal chance to equalise the game, Waterford lost by 8-01 to 6-05. On 11 August 1929, Ware lined out in goal in his first Munster Championship final. Cork were the opponents and, in spite of having home advantage, Waterford were still defeated by 4-06 to 2-03. It was the first of five Munster final defeats for Ware. Ware captained Waterford for the first time on 13 June 1943 in a Munster Championship first round defeat of Tipperary at Fraher Field. He was reappointed captain of the team for the 1947 and 1948 championship campaigns. On 1 August 1948, Ware won his only Munster Championship medal when Waterford defeated reigning champions Cork by 4-07 to 3-09 in the final at Thurles Sportsfield. He came in for individual praise after making a number of spectacular saves. On 5 September 1948, Ware became the first Waterford player and the oldest player to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup after a 6-07 to 4-02 defeat of Dublin in the All-Ireland final. Ware played his last game for Waterford on 12 June 1949 in a 3-08 to 3-03 Munster Championship semi-final defeat by Limerick.
Munster
At the age of 35, Ware was first selected as goalkeeper for the Munster inter-provincial team. On 17 March 1944, he won his first Railway Cup medal after a 4-10 to 4-04 defeat of Connacht in the final at Croke Park. A year later, Ware won a second successive Railway Cup medal after a 6-08 to 2-00 defeat of Ulster. In 1949, Ware was appointed captain of the Munster team. He won his third and final Railway Cup medal on 17 March 1949 after a 5-03 to 2-09 defeat of Connacht.
Personal life
Ware married Alice O'Donnell, a poet and playwright, at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford on 24 September 1938. They had three daughters - Colette, Christine and Catherine. Ware worked as a bookbinder at Harvey's for nearly 55 years until his retirement in 1978. Ware died at Ardkeen Hospital in Waterford on 18 July 1983.
