ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP FOR “SHORT GRASS” MEN

THE KILDARE OBSERVER OCTOBER 4 1919

KILDARE ABU!

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP FOR “SHORT GRASS” MEN

GALWAY OUTCLASSED

HUGE CONTINGENT FROM KILDARE

Not since the memorable “Herald” race has the rocky road to Dublin been subjected to such a burden of conveyances as that which was witnessed on Sunday last. From early hours on Saturday evening the push-bike was much in evidence passing through the streets of Naas. Hundreds of country people, fearing a break in the weather, made sure of availing themselves of the fine evening on Saturday to proceed citywards. Trains were packed with Kildare people bent on seeing the Short Grass men take part in the great struggle for supremacy in the All-Ireland football final. Where all the crowds that travelled got a “stop” overnight I cannot say. I believe some were stranded, but the good sportsmen from Kildare would make light of that. Sunday morning dawned with a white frost, which later gave way before a brilliant sun, and the crowds again commenced to stream through Naas from all parts of the south ― motors, taxis, char-a-bancs, lorries, bicycles, hacks and drays sped merrily along the steam-rolled road to Dublin. The never-failing “shanks’ mare” was in evidence, too, about ten miles out from the city. Big prices were paid with pleasure for any sort of a seat into the city. Conspicuous amongst the cyclists were a number of ladies who travelled long journeys to witness the match. White flags and mottoes were displayed on all vehicles and travellers, and it was evident that Kildare had turned out to a man, and refreshment houses on the roadside made a harvest. When the city was reached the throngs on the streets, together with the clamouring for trains, was a sight never to be forgotten. Sunday last will go down in history as the day of days for Kildare. Galway had a large following too, despite the long journey from the west, and they are a sporting lot, those Connaughtmen.

All the vehicles carrying the Kildare followers got a rousing reception all along the Dublin road, and when the city was entered men, women and children cheered the visitors, not forgetting the “war-cry,” Up Kildare! The return journey was the scene of wild enthusiasm for Kildare men, the latter responding in no half-hearted way.

We said Kildare would win, but we had no idea that their victory would be such a marked success. All Ireland is talking about that super-man, Larry Stanley. I remember his first match in public was against Celbridge in the junior championship about four years ago. He was playing with that good team from Blacktrench ― his native townland on the borders of the Bog of Allen. It was then that his many good qualities as a footballer were seen for the first time, and as time went on Larry improved, and many a good match he played with the Kildare junior team. His next place was on the senior team, and his work with the latter is well known by Kildare men. A footballer of the first order, Stanley has no equal in Ireland to-day; well may Kildare feel proud of its young captain. The victory of Kildare is all the more meritorious by the fact that the 32 counties in Ireland all took part this year, and the performance of the Short Grass men in beating the champions of each province in turn and thus annexing All-Ireland honours, is something to write home about. I could not say a word against any man on the team; they all set about bringing the honours to Kildare. But I cannot pass over two men without giving them a word of praise ― “Hussy” Cribbin and Joyce Conlan. Cribbin played with Kildare when Kerry went under for the same honours to the “Lily Whites.” His services for Kildare are life-long. He must be playing football now for over twenty years. His old position was full back, and too well is known his many sterling performances in that capacity for his native county. He is a tower of strength to-day between the posts for Kildare, and played the game of his life on Sunday last. Conlan, another old All-Ireland champion, is a tricky left-wing forward from the Roseberry team. He plays a good game for Kildare, and when he gets possession of the ball the goal is in danger. He opened Kildare’s score on Sunday in brilliant style. McGlade and P. Flynn worked like Trojans and did their parts well for the Short Grass county. Sammon is the best man in Ireland to take “frees”; his judgement is fine, and if he does not score, he leaves it easy for the forwards. Jimmy O’Connor, although a young player, is getting more used to the game. His charging of the Galway posts was fine. “Reilly” is a footballer Kildare will miss when he leaves, his duties calling him elsewhere shortly. His many fine games were the means of putting his native county in the position they hold to-day. The Kilcock men ― Joe Connor and J. Moran ― distinguished themselves, and are a credit to any team. Doyle, from Maddenstown, played his first game for the county on Sunday, and he acquitted himself creditably. Tom Goulding’s work as a back is well known. His marking of the Dublin forward, Synott, in the Leinster Championship was a fine performance. Buckley always plays a good game; he is always in fine trim, and the Curragh Club ought to be proud of this young player. Mangan has many running championships to his credit, and he is as good a footballer as a sprinter. Taking the team on the all-round they are a gallant fifteen, and their names will be spoken all over Ireland for many months to come. Mr. Joe McDonald, Naas, deserves the highest praise for his pains in training the Kildare team. He was very proud of his charges on Sunday. Kildare’s old goal man (Mr. J. Fitzgerald), now Chairman of the CountyBoard, also played his part in bringing the Short Grass men to the high standard which they have attained. In conclusion, we join in offering our congratulations to the new champions, and wish them many more honours in the future.

Kildare took the field first, headed by Larry Stanley, on whose shoulder was perched the tiny mascot ― Joyce Conlan’s little son. This combination were accorded a rousing reception.

There is not much to be recorded about the play, as Kildare were all over their opponents after the first ten minutes, but we give some of the principal features during the progress of the match.

THE GAME

From the throw-in Galway secured and sent into Kildare territory. The ball travelled round the Kildare posts and Goulding relieved the pressure. The Connaughtmen again returned the leather, and when a score seemed certain, the ball went out. Keeping up the pressure, Cribbin was called on and saved a “rasper” from Galway’s centre forward. Play was now confined to centre-field, and frees in turn were the order. For the first five minutes Galway were all over the Short Grass men. Flynn was conspicuous for some good play for Kildare. At this period the Kildare men were settling down, and “Reilly” had a shot which missed by a short margin. From kick out the ball travelled down to Kildare pasts, where Moran and Goulding put in some good work which put Kildare on the offensive again and McGlade’s pass was intercepted, the ball travelling to the other end, where Galway shot wide. A free to Kildare was well placed by Sammon, but when Jas. O’Connor was in possession he was fouled, and the resulting free went for nought. Stanley was now conspicuous for some of his good play, and his delivery put his men on the offensive. Play was now in Kildare’s favour, and a free to them was well placed by Sammon. Joyce Conlan secured and opened the score with a grand point. This “brought down the house,” the Short Grass supporters keeping up the din for several minutes. Galway put in some good work in centre field, which put Kildare defending. The Galway forwards were hopelessly at fault here and missed a favourable chance of scoring. From kick out Stanley secured, and his pass to McGlade was splendidly handled by the latter, his shot striking the crossbar, and the ball went out after some scrummaging. Play now remained in midfield until Stanley secured and sent in one of his huge drives, which was well fielded by Joyce Conlan, the latter’s effort barely missing. From kick out “Reilly” secured and Kildare were again in the picture, but Galway’s defence was sound. The Connaught backs cleared in great style, only to be put on the defensive again by Stanley. When Kildare was looking dangerous, Sammon was fouled; his free was well placed, and the old reliable Joyce Conlan secured and boxed the ball into the net for Kildare. Wild enthusiasm was indulged in by the Kildare contingent after this score, and the bearers of the “Lily White” kept up a stubborn pressure on the Galway posts which lasted for fully five minutes before the Connaughtmen were able to clear. Joe Connor again put Kildare going, and a free to them was taken by Sammon. His well directed kick sailed over the cross-bar, and the hoisting of the white flag was marked by loud cheering. From the delivery the Galway men had an innings, but their efforts were frustrated by an infringement of the rules. The free was received by Buckly, and “Reilly’s” drive just missed the point post. Galway secured from the kick out and the ball travelled to the Kildare posts where the Galway forwards bungled and missed a certain score. Some delay was now caused by Stanley getting knocked out. When he resumed the Connaughtmen were seen to advantage, but Moran was sound for Kildare, and his delivery was taken by McGlade, who sent well in. Some good centre field play was now the order, and when the “All Whites” were moving towards Galway territory the whistle sounded for half time, leaving the scores: ―

                  KILDARE ― 1 goal  2 points.

                  GALWAY ― Nil.

After a long interval the game entered on its second stage, and from the throw-in Stanley secured and put Kildare going towards the railway goal, where Sammon missed by inches. From the delivery the ball was soon in Kildare ground, and Cribbin was loudly cheered for his brilliant clearance. The game was now confined to midfield and McGlade getting possession from Joe Connor, the former gave a splendid exhibition on the right wing before his grand centre was received by Stanley, who shot a flying point for his side. The combination of the Kildare forwards at this stage was never witnessed at CrokePark before, and their hand-passing and short kicking was magnificent. The excitement was intense amongst the huge following, and cheering was kept up for a long time. From fully 70 yards out L. Stanley brought of  one of his single-handed catches and drove the ball into the mouth of the Galway goal, to effect a clearance the latter’s custodian had to concede a “50.” The rough tactics of Galway were now visible, and a free that resulted saw Sammon place the ball in the square, where the Short Grass forwards swarmed the goal, and Jimmy O’Connor fisted the ball into the net, amidst loud cheering. During the wild enthusiasm of the Kildare supporters, the Short Grass men were pressing the Galway backs very hard, and the Galway men got a run on the wing which brought play to the Kildare goal, where Goulding and Moran proved themselves sterling backs. Moran’s kick was well placed, and Buckley securing, drove to Mangan, but the latter’s shot went wide. Joe Connor, “Reilly” and Sammon were now seen to advantage for Kildare, and the Galway men could make no attempt to stop the determined rushes of the “Lily Whites.” The bearers of the black and amber next got a turn, but their forwards bungled badly, and Cribbin had no difficulty in coming out to clear. The old All-Ireland champion’s next part was beating the Galway forwards for possession and sending to McGlade, whose good centre was the means of keeping play around the Galway posts for some time. However, Galway’s defence cleared, and some good play by the Westerners brought the ball to the Short Grass territory, where the sound defence of Conlan prevailed. A free to Galway was taken by Egan, who scored a point. It was now a case of Kildare always in possession and Galway outclassed. The combination of the Kildare men was splendid; they simply toyed with their opponents. After a long time the Galway men had an innings, and Walsh, the centre forward, sent in a stinging shot to Cribbin, which the latter saved and kicked clear. No better clearance was ever effected than this one of Cribbin’s; he got a well deserved reception from the huge gathering. Goulding sent the ball to Stanley, who, from a difficult angle on the stand side, sent the ball flying between the point posts. No interest was now taken in the game, as Kildare was all over the bearers of the black and amber, and from the stubborn pressure that was kept up, another point was registered for Kildare, which closed the scoring. The spectators now commenced to leave the field, and Kildare had Galway hemmed in the latter’s territory when the long whistle sounded, leaving Kildare winners of the much-prized All-Ireland championship. Final scores: ―

                  KILDARE ― 2 goals  5 points.

                  GALWAY ― 1 point.

The teams were: ―

KILDARE ― L. Cribbin (goal), J. Conlan, J. Moran, T. Goulding, M. Buckley, Joe Connor, P. Doyle, M. Sammon, L. Stanley (capt.), C. Flynn, J. “Reilly,” G. Mangan, Jas. O’Connor, Joyce Conlan, B. McGlade.

GALWAY ― T. Egan (capt.), D. Egan, J. Ryan, P. Higgins, M. Walsh, P. McDonnell (goal), P. Roche, J. Hannify, G. Jennings, L. Rafferty, G. Feeney, M. Flannelly, H. Burke, J. McCauley, M. Walsh.

Referee ― Mr. “Patricks”, Leix.