Match Pictures | Matches: 1923 – 1924 | 1923 Pictures 1924 Pictures
Trivia
- Not really an Irish Free State XI. More accurately an FAI XI. Simpson is possibly Jock Simpson (Falkirk, Blackburn Rovers, England) but cannot 100% verify.
- The FAI XI played in St. Patrick’s blue.
- Film Exists (External link to British Pathé)
- The Wiki entry for Jack McCarthy states that this friendly was arranged to raise funds for the FAI to enable them to send a team to the 1924 Summer Olympics.
- The same Wiki entry also states that when McCarthy played international football during the 1920s, there were in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern Ireland – based IFA and the Irish Free State – based FAI, claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including McCarthy played for both teams. Frank Collins, Peter Kavanagh and Patsy Gallacher, who played for Celtic in this game, were all dual Ireland internationals.
- The Harris mentioned here is not John Harris but Val Harris (Dublin GAA, Shelbourne, Everton and IFA Ireland). Member of IFA Ireland team that won 1914 British Home Championship. Winner of All Ireland Gaelic football title with Dublin in 1900 and 1901. Also won Irish Cup and League of Ireland titles during two spells with Shelbourne. He was captain of the team for this match.
- Jack McCarthy, Ernie MacKay and Charlie Dowdall were all members of FAI Ireland squad at the 1924 Olympic Football Tournament in Paris. Alec Kirkland and Jackie Fagan both later represented the FAI Ireland team in separate internationals against Italy. MacKay was the son of Scottish soldier.
Review
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Teams
Ireland team:
Bill O’Hagan (Fordsons); Paddy Kavanagh (Shelbourne), Jack McCarthy (Bohemians); Ernie MacKay (St. James’s Gate) , Val Harris (Shelbourne), Mick Foley(Shelbourne); Jock Simpson (Shelbourne), Alec Kirkland (Shamrock Rovers), Jim O’Flaherty (UCD), Charlie Dowdall (St. James’s Gate), Jackie Fagan (Shamrock Rovers)
Celtic team:
Shaw, McNair, Hilley, P. Wilson, J. McStay, M. McFarlane, McAtee, Gallacher, Cassidy, Thomson, McLean
Scorers: Thomson McAtee Cassidy (Note: The Herald puts it as Cassidy scored twice, and none for Thomson)
Stadium: Match played at Dalymount Park, Dublin. 23rd February 1924.
Referee: J Bambrook (Wales)
Attendance: 22,000 (?)
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- KDS forum thread on match
- Pathe Match footage
- History Company
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Articles
Herald 24 Sep 1924
Free State League V. Glasgow Celtic match a few weeks previously was described by the Evening Telegraph in a manner which also captured the atmosphere of cup final day perfectly:
“They could not see much of the play but they had got in and trusted to luck to catch a glimpse of an occasional jerseyed player over the shoulders or heads of those in front as he flashed past their view.
“These back seaters or last-row spectators appeared to be quite satisfied at being there. If only to catch and enjoy the fever of the excitement and surrender themselves captive to the enthusiasm of those better situated to give audible expression to it.
“Every side of the pitch, rising to the highest point from where a view of the game could be got, was thickly dotted with faces. So closely were the people packed that their individual outlines were lost. One could see nothing but faces around, the sky above and pitch below.”
Celtic V the Irish Free State, 1924, Dalymount Pk. Just after the Irish Civil War, you can see supporters on the roof.
