Leinster Leader 4 October 1919

All Ireland Champions

Kildare Gaels’ Great Victory

On Sunday last in the presence of one of the largest gatherings which the historic Gaelic arena of Croke Park has ever accommodated the Gaels of Kildare wrested   the All-Ireland Gaelic Football Championship from the Galway representatives in a game which Kildare established their superiority beyond doubt. Never in the History of The Gaelic Athletic Association has such a widespread interest been taken in an All-Ireland final. Every one of the 32 counties was represented in the vast throng which filled every available inch of space at Croke Park. The whole male population of Kildare was present with a very large percentage of the opposite sex and the Kildare colours predominated in the vast gathering. The scenes throughout Kildare from the previous Saturday evening were unprecedented as a continuous stream of people wended their way to the stations for the evening train which were packed throughout with enthusiastic travellers to the metropolis for the match. Long after the last train had departed a stream of cyclists, cars, motors, and conveyances of every description continued to wind their way by road to Dublin, practically every one of them sporting Kildare colours and flags such as “Cilldare Abu” “Up Kildare,” etc, etc. This traffic was continuous throughout the night and increased considerably from the early hours of the morning up to midday, a continuous stream of taxis, char-a-bancs bicycles and hackney cars rendering the main road to Dublin well nigh impassable while some hardy enthusiasts who started out to walk the entire distance were accommodated with a “lift” by the passing vehicles. The situation was summed up in the remark of an occupant of one of the cars who said “this puts Punchestown in the shade.” And so it did. In its palmiest days Punchestown never came up, numerically or in enthusiasm to the cheering, joyous throng that crowded the road to Dublin on Sunday last. It was immense, it was enthusiasm that refused to be restrained, it was the day of days for the Gaels and they shouted these facts to the heavens for all and sundry to hear. “Kildare Abu,” “Up the Short Grass,” these and similar cries where shouted from one passing car to another. They rent the heavenspassing through the streets of Dublin and were responded to by supporters of Kildare on the side walks until the cries blended into the continuous roar which continued until the gates of Croke Park were reached where three hours before the match a vast throng awaited the opening of the gates. Prior to the starting of the match the  scenes at Croke Park were unprecedented. A long queue extending up to the bridge waited outside each gate and a few minutes later after the gates where opened every available space was filled, but still the stream of people continued pushing the turnstiles growing greater and greater as the time approached for the opening of the match an hour and a half later. The large bank and in continuation up to the canal goal behind each goal, side line seat, stands, the roofs of the neighbouring homes, the railway wall  signal, everywhere the eye strayed from the furthest point down to the very touch line was a highly wedged mass of humanity in which all classes where represented. Well-known leaders of the bar and the staff of the Dublin hospitals rubbed shoulders with the farm hands and the dock labourers. Well-known provincial merchants and large employers were fellow passengers with their workmen through the turnstiles. It was the Gaels day out and a day of which Gaelic Ireland can be proud for it is only the national game of Ireland that could so completely shatter the social barriers and bring together all classes from the highest to the lowest in the pure spirit of sportsmanship to witness the athletic prowess of the representatives of the East and West. The number present has been variously estimated and one appreciated the difficulty at even making an estimate at such a vast gathering. Personally I do not think the number was far short of 50,000 if one thing I can be certain it was the largest gathering that CrokePark has ever accumulated and it has helped to set a national seal upon Gaelic Games in Ireland. Jack Fitzgerald, the chairman of the Kildare county board and Willie White the secretary, were early on the scene looking to the interests of the Kildare team whom arrived about three o’clock from Flemings Hotel accompanied by  their trainer Joe McDonald, Naas, who was assisted by his brother Bill McDonald and David McDonagh, the well-know boxer. The Kildare team were first on the field and a roar of cheering greeted their appearance a similar greeting meeting the appearance of the Galwegians

The Kildare Mascot

The Kildare men were accompanied by their tiny mascot in F. Conlan’s little three year old son, who wore the Kildare colours, jersey, pants and football boots complete, and wore a band across his jersey with the motto “Up Kildare.” A special ovation was accorded the tiny Kildare representative as he entered the field on the Kildare captain’s shoulder and submitted to the attention of the photographers and cinema operators. The Game from the spectator’s point of view proved disappointing as following the first Galway rush towards the Kildare goal and when the Kildare men got going about ten minutes after the start the issue was never in doubt. Much was expected from the Galway representatives following the defeat of Kerry in the semi-final, but the impression left on one’s mind after the final was how the Kerrymen went under to such a team. It was only in the middle of the last half that the Galway men made their only score of the game, a point and the Kildare men had the game completely in their hands from shortly after the start to finish. Whilst the speed, tackling and catching of the Galway men were up to the mark there was a complete absence of anything in the nature of combination or science. The Kildare representatives widely refused to be tempted into playing a wild or disjointed game. They maintained their combination throughout and pinned every man of the Galway team from the start, never leaving the latter an opportunity for the loose and open play which gained them their victory over the Kerry men. The Kildare men had the upper hand completely in field tactics, science and combination. Whilst in speed they were quite equal and in some instances superior to their opponents. The Kildare captain, Larry Stanley, played his usual brilliant game in midfield, completely outclassing the cluster of Galway men who paid him such strict attention throughout the game. He was subject to a series of tackles and charges, which to speak of them in the most charitable vein, were on the rough side and was down injured very early in the play. During the progress of the game he went down injured six times in all, and although he resumed play each time amidst the sympathetic cheers of spectators, it was obvious he was suffering from the effects of his injuries. Notwithstanding all this, however, he kept his place resolutely and maintained his superiority to the end, capturing the ball time after time from a cluster of opponents in a style that evoked hearty and general cheers. The performance of the two veterans of the old Kildare 1906 All-Ireland team, F. Conlan and Cribben was marvellous. In the goal Cribben was as firm as a rock and time after time brought off marvellous saves completely disconcerting the Galway forward line whilst Conlan as the left wing forward showed a speed and agility that was marvellous and his scoring of the initial goal for Kildare was a first class performance. Jim O’Connor, centre forward, had a difficult task in the Galway centre full back that was easily the best of the western representatives and had to bear the brunt of several fierce advances  which he did in a manner which aided materially in registering all the Kildare scores. Magan, on the right wing, had matters all his own way and time after time rescued the leather from going out when a save seemed impossible, playing a consequently brilliant game from start to finish. McGlade, in the half-line, played one of the best games he has ever played and re-established his reputation as a really first class player. Flynn, was master of his own portion of the field, completely outclassing his opponents and giving an  exhibition which surprised even his friends for its all round excellence. “Reilly” was subject to rather a rough hour in midfield, but proved more than equal to the occasion, playing a game which showed improvement even on previous performances and was an all round excellent performance. Sammon played a really good game and in taking the several frees which the Galwegians conceded, proved as unerring as in past games, the leather invaluably falling within the parallelogram. He is credited with kicking a goal from the 50 yds mark, a very unique performance. P. Doyle (who replaced Grady as left half-back, the latter having contracted a severe cold) finally justified his selection by the excellent form in which he played. Joe Connor and Buckley, the other half backs making an equally fine show. Goulding Moran and J. Conlan in the full back line were invincible and never failed throughout the game, the whole Kildare defence being a marvellous exhibition of well combined efforts which left the Galway forwards helpless and which the latter failed to penetrate even on the couple of occasions when they were awarded a free near the goal. The team as a whole gave a really first class and splendid performance which establish beyond doubt their right to wear the All-Ireland medal. After a fourteen year absence from premier honour the Gaels of today in Kildare have raised the standard of the County of the Short Grass to the pinnacle to which in 1905 the Gaels of that period raised it. All-Ireland honours have once more been brought to the plains of Kildare and the performances which led to Sundays final victory have placed  beyond question the right of Kildare men to bear the title of Champions of All-Ireland  in tactics, speed, stamina, science and combination their performance on Sunday last ranks amongst the highest in the annals of Gaeldom and on the performance of any of the counties in Ireland in the present years championship, last Sundays display by the Kildare men shows a clear superiority.

 “Mr.Patrick’s” Abbeyleix acted as referee in his usual capable manner. The Galway men won the toss and elected to play towards the Clonliffe goal, the sun behind them.

The Teams

KILDARE –  L. Stanley (Capt.), L. Cribben (goal), Jas. Conlan, F. Conlan, G. Magan, J. Moran, – McGlade, M. Buckley, T. Goulding, J. Connor, M. Sammon, P. Doyle, C. Flynn, J. O’Reilly, James O’Connor.

GALWAY– T. Egan (Capt.), D. Egan, J. Egan, P. Higgins, M. Walsh, P. Roche, J. Hannifiy, G. Jennings, L. Rafferty, P. McDonell, J. McCawley, M. Slunnelly, H. Burke, G. Feeney, M. Walsh.

The Game

Galway broke away from the throw-in and per Walsh went down to KildareTerritory. Goulding Returned to Doyle, who sent to mid field from which Hanniffy sent to Roche, the latter shooting wide. From the goal kick Roche again got possession and made a great shot for the goal which evoked cheers from the Galway supporters but Cribben in the goal brought a still louder cheer from the Kildare supporters as he brought off a magnificent save and cleared to mid-field. A free to Galway immediately afterwards resulted in Kildare territory being again invaded but the advantage was lost to the Galwegians by Egan fouling Conlon. Following the free    the Galway men were again per Egan invading the Kildare posts. Kildare, per Moran to Goulding cleared and Stanley receiving shot wide. From the goal kick Egan sent in and Goulding returned. A free to Galway was badly muffed by  Hannify who shot very wide. From the kick out Galway returned and J. Conlan capturing, sent it to Buckley who passed to Sammon who was fouled and from the resulting free went into the front of the Galway goal the custodian clearing. From a hop in front of the Galway goal the back cleared, but another foul gave Kildare a free which Sammon sent in, the ball striking the upright and rebounding when Conlan captured on the left wing and sent over the bar for a point for Kildare amidst a hurricane of applause. Galway got down the field from the kick out but Goulding cleared to “Reilly” who put Sammon in possession. A free to Galway went for nil. Jim Conlan holding up the rush and Moran cleared to McGlade who sent to Magan the latter making a great shot for the net, which the custodian only saved by conceding a 50. Sammon took the 50 and sent well in when Magan captured and made a great attempt to net the leather shooting inches wide from a difficult angle on the right wings, fast play followed the kick out. Kildare having the best of the exchanges and the Galway representatives frequently spoiling their chances by fouling. Stanley, in mid-field captured from the kick out and made a great shot for the net, but was fouled. Sammon sent in from the free. Feeney, for Galway cleared, the Galwegians getting down the wing. Joe Connor held up the attack and sent to Buckley. The latter passed to “Reilly” who sent to the forwards. Egan returned and Jennings sent to Hanniffy who was held up by Goulding who was prominent in this period. Galway still pressed and Moran cleared. Stanley being fouled in mid-field the free was taken by Sammon, but a foul in the forward line nullified and the backs cleared. Another free to Kildare shortly afterwards was sent well in by Sammon, and from a rush in front of the Galway posts Magan captured. Hampered by the attention of the Galway backs he shot over his head in splendid style when Conlon from the left wing dashed across and boxed the ball into the net a goal amidst the roar of cheering from the Kildare supporters. On the kick out Galway sent to the wing where “Reilly” was fouled. Fast play followed the free. Goulding, Doyle and Stanley being responsible for once more invading Galway territory. Conlon missed and Egan cleared, but Stanley returned. The Galway backs per Higgins, cleared once more, and play was transferred to the Kildare end, the posts being in danger when Jim Conlon cleared in good style and sent to Joe Connor, play going with a rush to the other end per Flynn, who sent wide, On the kick out Roche, for Galway was in possession and looked liked scoring, but Moran saved and sent well up the field with a splendid kick. A free to Kildare resulted in Sammon sending over the bar with a perfect placed shot for a further point for Kildare. On the kick out Egan, for Galway, drove down the wing and the leader was carried with a rush to the Kildare territory, but Flannelly sent hopelessly wide. On the kick out Kildare was again pressing, Jim O’Connor receiving from Stanley. An attempt by the Kildare forwards to rush matters failed. Hanniffy and Walsh clearing when Roche received from D. Egan and shot inches wide of the Kildare posts. At this time period play was suspended for some time owing to Stanley being injured, but he was able to resume after a few minutes. Galway were down again on resuming, but Flannelly shot wide. On the kick pout Sammon sent to McGlade, but Jennings returned, and Walsh in possession, shot over the Kildare cross bar just after the whistle going for a foul. From the free, a few yards from the Kildare goal, which the backs lined, Walsh contrary to the general expectations did not shoot over the bar, but tried for the net the shot being cleared at the expense of a “50,” which went for nought, Jim Conlan capturing and passing to Moran who cleared to “Reilly.” Play was in mid-field when the half-time whistle went, leaving the score:

Kildare:    1 goal 2 points.

Galway:    Nil.

 Kildare got away in the throw in but Jennings returned. Stanley was in possession when he was fouled. Sammon placed the resulting free well in when Flynn got possession and a great shot for the net was hardly saved by McDonnell in the Galway goal. Following the kick out the ball was sent wide and Magan got possession from the throw in sending it well down when O’Connor shot wide by inches. Sammon was injured following the kick out and play was suspended for a time when he resumed. Another rush by Kildare in which O’Connor, McGlade, Magan and Flynn were prominent, resulted in Galway conceding a “50,” which however they failed to convert, Sammon sending well in and the ball going wide from a scrimmage in the mouth of the goal. Hanniffy for Galway got possession from the kick out and made progress along the left wing when a foul from a Kildare player helped the Galway spurt. J. Egan, from the free, sending to Walsh, who was in front of the Kildare goal when he was fouled and a score looked inevitable. Taking the free Walsh shot from the net but failed, Kildare conceding a “50.” The defence proved sound and the free was cleared by Moran who sent to Jim Conlan, the latter sending to Magan who passed to Stanley, the latter sending over the bar for another point for Kildare. On the kick-out Stanley received from Joe Connor and was in possession when he was fouled and play was suspended as it was seen that the Kildare captain was hurt. He resumed after a few minutes and Sammon, from the free, cut into the parallelogram, Barker for Galway made a rather feeble clearance and Magan capturing the leather sent a great shot inches wide of the net. Following the kick-out Galway sent out, and from the throw-in play was in mid-field when the ball was again sent out by Galway and from the returning throw-in “Reilly” sent to Flynn who passed to Stanley, who sent into the mouth of the goal where from the scrimmage the ball went wide. From the kick out Connor sent to Stanley per “Reilly” and the Kildare captain once more placed the Galway net in danger, the defenders being forced to concede a “50.” From the “50” Sammon sent a superb shot straight for the net and Jim O’Connor, from the ruck in front of the goal tipped the leather into the net amidst an uproarious cheer from the Kildare supporters. Cawley, Egan and Jennings were prominent in a Galway rush from the kick-out in which they succeeded in placing J. Egan in the forward line in possession but the latter muffed a good opportunity and kicked wide. At this period the Galwegians were making the only real spurt for their side in the game and following the kick out the same rushing tactics left Flannelly in possession, but again the ball was sent wide this time however merely by inches, it being hard luck for a really good shot. Following the kick-out some fast exchanges where witnessed in mid-field where the Westerners were putting forth a mighty effort. But the Galway forwards were hopelessly weak in shooting and two tries in quick succession went for nought. P. Doyle showing up well in the clearances whilst Goulding, Moran, Conlan, Buckley and Connor proved an impenetrable barrier as far as the net was concerned, A further free to Galway about 15 yards from the goal proved more fruitful D. Egan drawing first blood for his side by sending over the bar for another point, This success seemed to liven up “the men of the West” Jennings capturing from the goal kick and sending down a high shot, which Doyle cleared and Walsh capturing the sphere sent in a stinging shot straight for the Kildare net, which Cribben cleared in a splendid style. So hard was the ball driven for the net that the Kildare custodian was nearly taken off his feet and admiration must be divided equally between the attacker and defender. Moran had cleared to centre field when Galway conceded a free which Sammon went well in and Flynn shot for the net bar Higgins saved and returned. Egan sending on but Goulding cleared to Doyle and Stanley was in possession when Galway conceded a further free. Sammon sending well in, Magan shooting for the point but Egan cleared. In a further free Sammon shot inches wide. From the goal kick the Galwegians invaded the Short Grass territory after a series of exciting encounters along the right wing, but they were pulled up by Goulding who cleared to Buckley the latter passing to “Reilly” who placed Stanley in possession, who shot over the bar in a magnificent high kick, having speared the sphere from a hop, following a “ruggie” near the Galway posts. The Galwegians were still fighting however, and Egan receiving from Jennings placed Walsh in possession, but the latter failed to seize a good opening and again essaying a goal, the opportunity went for nought, Moran and Goulding clearing. The opportunity was immediately after the goal kick, again afforded the Galway representatives by a Kildare half-backs fouling, but J. Egan who took the free, kicked very wide. Kildare where away on the kick out and Sammon put Stanley in possession, A foul by Galway aided the Kildare forward move and Sammon placed Jim O’Connor in possession, the latter, although severely hampered by the backs shooting inches wide. With about five minutes to go the match, from the spectators point of view, was over and a continuous stream of people were passing out in front of the press table rendering a view of the field difficult. From the kick out Egan per Jennings sent to Walsh, from whom Moran captured, Jim Conlan receiving and sending per Sammon to Magan, who crossed to the left wing where Conlan received and sent over the bar for a further point. From the kick out play was in midfield when the game was suspended owing to Stanley being down, injured, but the latter resumed after a few moments. In a further forward move by Kildare the Galway backs, who were defending stubbornly conceded a “50” from a scrimmage in which Conlan, Connor, Magan, McGlade and Flynn where prominent. Higgins, in the Galway defence, cleared a splendid kick by Sammon for the net, and a further advance on the Galway posts was nullified by a foul, the resulting free bringing the Westerners to the defences, where Flannelly, who received from Walsh, shot inches wide. From the kick-out Sammon sent to McGlade, and the ball had just gone out from the scrimmage when the final whistle sounded and a roar of cheering from thousands of wildly excited and enthusiastic Kildare announced that the Gaels of Kildare in 1919 had repeated the performance of the Gaels of Kildare in 1905, and that the All-Ireland Gaelic Football Championship the Blue Ribbon of Gaeldom, had once more been brought to the County of the Short Grass.

Final Score –

Kildare:     2 goals 5 points.

Galway:     1 point.

Re-typed by Daniel Rafferty