| Matches: 1888 1889 1890 | 1887-1900 |
Trivia
- Glasgow North-Eastern Cup
- Glasgow North Eastern Football Association Cup tie – Final
- Played at Barrowfield Park.
- Before 8,000 spectators.
- Celtic’s first ever trophy.
Review
The Scotsman – Monday, 13th May 1889, page 5
Glasgow North-eastern Football Association Final Cup Tie
This final was played off in Barrowfield Park, Glasgow, the Celtic and Cowlairs being the contestants.
The game was witnessed by a large crowd and ended in a victory for the Celtic by six goals to one.
The Cowlairs were never in it from start to finish and the Celtic had the game in band from the beginning.
Neither team played up to their reputation, but the weather being very warm proved rather trying to the players.
The money taken at the gate amounted to £160.
Teams
Celtic:-
McLauchlan, Dowling, McKeown, W Maley, Kelly, McLaren, Gallagher *, Dowds, Groves, Coleman, Dunbar.
Goals:- Coleman (2), W Maley, Gallagher, Dowds, Groves.
* Celtic historians disagree on whether or not Gallagher was Pat Gallagher or Hugh Gallagher, as newspaper reports from the time give only the surname.
Cowlairs:-
Carphin, McCartney, McLeod, Masterton, Sinclair, McPherson, Bishop, McInnes, McPherson, Carson
Goal:- McPherson.
Att:- 8,000.
Article
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
- Match Pictures
From newspaper reports from the time.
The final tie for the North-Eastern cup was played on Barrowfield Park, in presence of about 8,000 spectators.
The competing teams were the Celtic, who reached the final by defeating the Rutherglen and the Northern. The Cowlairs (the holders), defeated the Thistle and the Shettleston.
The Celtic kicked off. For a time play was evenly distributed, short, quick passing being the rule on both sides.
After about five minutes the Celts got away on the right, the ball having been taken diagonally across the field.
Gallagher sent in a slanting shot, which came very near scoring. The Irishmen were then forced back for a time, but by a good bit of combined work they succeeded in once more changing the scene of operations; and, they gave the Cowlairs some anxiety. The latter defended well, however, and eventually were able to get clear.
Fully a quarter of an hour elapsed before the first goal was scored, which was secured by the Celts after a scrimmage in front of the posts. A few minutes later a second goal was out on by Coleman.
Following this the Cowlairs played up well, and looked very like scoring from a free kick near the goal, but McCartney sent it clear through.
The Celts then wrought their way up, and had the advantage of a free kick, and Dowds spoiled rather a good chance, sending the ball high over the bar. The Irishmen continues to press, however, and before two minutes elapsed Maley added a third point.
The Cowlairs did not allow their spirits to go down, but played up vigorously, giving quite as much as they received, and at last their perseverance met with success, a splendid shot by McPherson from midfield striking the inside of the post and going through. They were, however, unable to further improve their position, and half-time found the Celtic in the ascendancy by three to one.
The second half commenced with an attack on the Celtic goal. Some back and forward play followed, the ball passing repeatedly from end to end. A fine shot by Carson narrowly missed scoring. A few minutes’ later matters again looked promising for the Cowlairs, when Carson ran the ball right into the goalkeeper’s hands; but once more the Celtic got defensive for some time.
The Celts were again the first to score, which they did after 25 minutes’ of play, a beautiful bit of passing among the forwards in front of goal ending in a shot by Dowds, which resulted in a fourth goal. During the rest of the game the Celts had considerably the upper hand, and added two goal to their score.
The Cowlairs, on the other hand, were unable to make any alteration, and the game ended – Celtic, 6 goals; Cowlairs, 1 goal.
Auction – 2021
GLASGOW NORTH EASTERN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION GOLD MEDAL 1888/89,
awarded to Mick McKeown of Celtic F.C., the obverse monogrammed ‘J.W’ to a shield shaped cartouche below a purple coloured stone, the reverse inscribed ‘Won by Celtic F.C M. McKeown 1888-89’, marked ‘DO(?)’, 4.3cm including bale, 11.8g
Note: A scarce and important piece, this is one of the very earliest medals awarded to one of the very earliest Celtic players.
Mick McKeon began his career at Celtic after he was lured from Hibernian in 1888.
The Ayrshire-born left-back played his competitive debut for Celtic in the 5-1 Scottish Cup victory over Shettleston on September 1st 1888. He was also to play for the side in their first ever final, the Glasgow Exhibition Cup final, which Celtic lost 2-0 to Cowlairs, then regarded as a shock result.
Capped by Scotland, McKeown was a fine and much sought after talent but he was also an outspoken and fiery character who was only too happy to offer his considerable skills to the highest bidder.
During his stay at Parkhead he made it be known that if Celtic weren’t prepared to recognise his worth then he would be on the move. It was rumoured that during one such discussion that McKeown was so incensed by the club’s offer to him he struck club secretary John O’Hara. In many ways, possibly the first true modern player by attitude alone.
He had several fallouts with other key players and officials and at one time declared to the press he was leaving Celtic to play for the breakaway Glasgow Hibernian, and was even offered captaincy of the new club. The majority of those at Celtic thankfully were against any such idea of following the Edinburgh club’s policy and it has been a proud statement of Celtic’s to support or employ any man regardless of their creed, despite the actions of those who wanted to thwart it.
Celtic refused to release his kit and he was to remain with the Bhoys after his issues were resolved. In August 1891 McKeown did finally depart Celtic Park when he moved to England and Blackburn Rovers.
He was soon back at Celtic, but playing in a friendly v Celtic for Blackburn Rovers, with Celtic winning 3-2.
That move proved to be the beginning of the end for the player. A heavy drinker his problems with alcohol worsened and his stay in Lancashire lasted less than a year. He returned to Scotland and had brief and unsuccessful spells at a number of minor clubs.
He had became a rather poor sight, living day to day dependent on charity & handouts. He was also a regular at court for various frequent drink related misdemeanours. A spell in the army lasted less than a year when he was dismissed and described as being “worthless”.
Michael McKeown died on October 25th 1903. He was aged just 33. His body was found lying in a lime kiln just a short stroll away from Celtic Park in Camlachie. He had died from asphyxiation.
A pauper’s grave awaited the former Scotland star but Celtic did not forget their former player despite past run-ins. Celtic did the decent thing and arranged the funeral and burial to give him at least an honourable send-off.
It was a sad end for the player, and a bleak warning to others. Football may have given the opportunity to the few to escape the drudgery of other lines they may have been driven into (such as working down the pits) but some mishandled the chance or couldn’t live up to it. It was to be a story that would repeat itself too often in the history of football even to today.
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