Vol 32 No. 250 November 8, 1915 One Halfpenny WEXFORD BEAT KERRY. THRILLING PLAY IN FOOTBALL FINAL.

WEXFORD, 2 GOALS 4 POINTS; KERRY, 2 GOALS 1 POINT.

Yesterday, at Croke Park, Dublin, Wexford beat Kerry in the All-Ireland football final by two goals and four points to two goals and one point. As Leix won the premier hurling honours by defeating Cork on the same ground a fortnight ago, Leinster have achieved a remarkable championship double event at the expense of Munster.

WEXFORD Yesterday at Croke Park the final of the All-Ireland Football Championship was played between Kerry and Wexford, representing Munster and Leinster, when a great game resulted in a victory for Wexford CHAMPIONS. on the score:- Wexford, 2-4 (10 points), Kerry, 2-1 (7 points). The ground was packed, and the gate receipts were £1,044. This was the third year in succession for teams representing Kerry and Wexford to meet in the final, ROUSING CONTEST Kerry winning in 1913 and 1914. But their match yesterday aroused more interest in Gaelic football circles throughout the country than either of the other contests, as it was generally believed that AT CROKE PARK. Wexford’s turn for championship honours had come at last, as the team showed great form throughout the qualifying contests. The most elaborate train arrangements had been made by Mr. L. J. O’Toole, Secretary to the Central Council, over 20 specials being run by the G.S. and W.R. from the South and West, while the South GREAT CROWD – Eastern, Midland, and Great Northern also put on a special service. The scene at the different railway termini from 12 o’clock was most animated, as the visitors to the city were met by their relatives or GATE, £1,044. friends. Every available seat was occupied an hour before the time for starting. The turnstiles were too slow to admit the steady influx of visitors, many of whom did not gain admission until the game had well begun. The weather was ideally fine and the sod in splendid condition. A BRILLIANT GAME. THE GAME. FIRST GOAL TO KERRY. LEAD CHANGES HANDS TWICE. Wexford returned the goal kick, and Mullins, the Kerry As to the contest, we have no custodian, effected a fine save from a shot by John hesitation in stating that it was the The Kerry team came on the ground at 2.40 O’Kennedy. D. Doyle spoiled a second attack for Wexford, grandest exhibition of football that followed five minutes later by the Wexford and Kerry rushing down the field Clifford tried a ground shot, was ever played since the inception men, headed by their captain, John O’Kennedy. which went only inches wide. The Kerry men were just now of the Association. Both counties Mr. P. Dunphy (Abbeyleix), who was the holding the upper hand, and Con Murphy getting possession made their very best selection, and referee, lost little time, and the game was started from a hopped ball sent to D. Doyle, who, with a cross shot, each took the field in the fittest about twenty minutes after the advertised time. beat McGrath for a goal. Wexford now burst down the field, condition, and confident of success. but were beaten off by the brothers Rice, and Kerry came From the time the ball was put into FIRST HALF. along in characteristic style, when Donovan sent in a fast play there was not a dull moment. Kerry, who won the toss, played for the shot, which McGrath caught just under the cross-bar, making Every man on each team played as if Clonliffe goal. After an exchange of kicks a fine clearance. With the first quarter expired, Kerry were the result depended on his own O’Shea put Kerry into Wexford ground, when leading by a goal to a point, and when Con Murphy from a individual efforts, with the result that an infringement spoiled, the resulting kick by free for Kerry sent to H. Murphy it looked as though Kerry the spectators were practically Byrne changing the venue. This time Wexford would increase their lead. Byrne jumped into the rescue, but spellbound from start to finish. gave away a free, which was returned by Kerry returned, J. Rice, O’Shea, and Clifford leading a strong The Kerry men had the better of the Furlong, and Wexford were in possession. Even attack. The latter kicked the sphere into McGrath’s hands, and first quarter, after which the thus early the pace was very fast, both teams it was soon down the field. Kerry came again, but Furlong Wexford team displayed their playing with great determination. Wexford were was equal to the occasion. A Wexford rush of the left wing superiority, and, playing in tip-top more than holding their own. Shea got through was well stopped by Paddy Healy, who, with a great kick, put style, held a nice lead at the interval. for Kerry, when Mackey returned. Kerry came play again in Wexford ground. “Furlong” was again to the The play of the Model County men again, and were awarded a free twenty yards rescue, and when Wexford rushed down the field Gus after resuming was much better than out, as Murphy was fouled in possession. The O’Kennedy sent to A. Doyle, and the Kerry goalkeeper had to Kerry, but their efforts at scoring Kerry skipper essayed a low kick, which was handle a fast shot, which he cleared well. were not rewarded with the success sent out of danger by E. Doyle. Another free they deserved. After Kerry had came to the Kingdom lads, which Paddy Healy WEXFORD WAKEN UP. resumed the lead, Wexford placed in front of the Wexford posts, when the The Wexford captain was now responsible for Wexford astonished everybody by again referee was obliged to hop the ball. Mernagh breaking through from about centre-field, when Mullins forging ahead, and, although Kerry came to Wexford’s rescue, his punt landing near saved his side, but a foul gave Byrne an opportunity of made a desperate attempt to draw centre field. Kerry were now going strong, and scoring Wexford’s second point from a free. This success level in the closing minutes, they Clifford led up to a grand attack, which was buoyed up the Wexford team, and Black, getting possession were kept at bay, and were beaten by spoiled by a foul. Byrne drove down to Doyle, from the goal-kick, put his side again pressing, and Wall a superior team, who deserve much and then Gus Kennedy missed a grand missed a good opening. Wexford were awarded a free, credit for again bringing this opportunity of opening the scoring. However, in Byrne’s kick being nullified by Maurice McCarthy, but Black championship to Leinster and the next minute he cleverly evaded Tom Rice returned for Tom Rice to beat the opposition, and Reynolds completing the double event, Leix and kicked the first point for Wexford after six kicked across to J. Kennedy, who shot wide. Wexford were having won the hurling. minutes amidst great cheers. having the better of the argument at this period, and Howlett passed to Wall, who missed the scoring area MISSED KERRY AGAIN AHEAD. WEXFORD’S WINNING by inches. In a Kerry dash, Tom Rice was OPPORTUNITIES. The game continued to be LEAD. most conspicuous, but Byrne found safety The football was again splendid. stubbornly contested, both Play continued in favour of in touch. Mernagh nullified the throw-in, Wexford were all over their teams working like Trojans, Wexford, who were fighting but Murphy, getting possession, McGrath opponents, but their forwards and the pace was as fast as in every inch of the ground, and in a was severely tested. He came out to a fast were not putting to advantage the opening period. Wexford fierce attack Mullins conceded a shot, and kicked out of danger. favourable opportunities. A. gained a free, and J. “50” when Byrne, with a splendid Howlett initiated a good Wexford Doyle missed a particularly O’Kennedy got possession shot sent the ball into the net for movement, and from fine work by the good opening. Maurice from Byrne’s back, when the major score, a success which brothers Kennedy, the Kerry posts were in McCarthy proved the obstacle to Mullins made a great fare. met with cheering as loud as it danger. A free was given against Maurice a likely Wexford success, and T. Wexford were going best, but was deserved. This reverse had a McCarthy, but Byrne sent wide. Con Rice sent further into Wexford owing to the sound Kerry rousing effect on Kerry, who Murphy got on the goal-kick, but Howlett ground, where Kerry were defence and their erratic dashed down the field from the held him up, and Lawler conceded a “50” awarded a free. Dick Fitzgerald shooting they failed to notch a goal kick, headed by P. Healy. free. Byrne’s shot went to Frank Furlong, struck the upright, the ball score. Kerry continued to “Furlong” intercepted and kicked who struck the cross-bar. H. Murphy sent to rebounding for Black to transfer make a great fight. An to the centre, and Frank Furlong mid-field, where a grand bout of play to Kerry ground. Then, after interesting struggle between sent further on. A free went to between Gus Kennedy and Frank Furlong McCarthy and Clifford had Gus Kennedy and Maurice Kerry, but Mackey returned it enabled Aiden Doyle to beat Mullins for the saved Kerry, a free came to McCarthy ensued, but an with interest. Mullins immediately major score, a splendid performance, which Wexford, and Byrne sent the infringement spoiled, and after afterwards made a marvellous once again gave Wexford the lead. The ball into the goal-mouth, for Healy had pulled up a good save from Gus Kennedy. There short whistle sounded soon afterwards. Tom Rice to clear. Wexford rush by Wexford, a grand bit was no holding Wexford at this Score; – were still attacking when two of play by Clifford, Costello period, and they forced another Wexford, 1-2; Kerry, 1-0. further frees were awarded, both and Rice ended in the ball “50” from Kerry, when Byrne of which were nullified. Kerry, being netted, giving Kerry the sent the ball sailing over the SECOND HALF. per T. Rice, got along the left lead of a point, much to the cross-bar for a point. With a lead Kerry attacked on resuming, and looked wing in taking style, and Dick delight of their followers. of four points and eight minutes to dangerous until Mackey broke through, and Fitzgerald shooting in, Fifteen minutes yet remained, go it seemed all right for Wexford made a strong attack, when Gus “Furlong” made a grand save, and still the result was in the Wexford, but Kerry were not yet O’Kennedy shot wide. Wexford continued but Clifford got possession and balance. Wexford made a great beaten. Murphy pulled up to hold the upper hand, but Maurice passed to J. Rice, who missed a effort, and John O’Kennedy Wexford, and Rice and Healy put McCarthy proved his worth in the Kerry good chance. In subsequent drove to his brother, who shot Kerry attacking, but McGrath defence. Still Wexford returned, as the play, John O’Kennedy was inches wide. Another attack by cleared a free from Fitzgerald. result of a grand drive by Byrne, who conspicuous, and a pass by him Wexford ended in their gaining “The Kingdom” teams were nullified a kick by H. Murphy. Next, to Reynolds saw Costello a “50” free. Byrne directed his putting up a great fight, keeping Lawlor, the Kerry full-back, made a intercept. A fierce bout of play effort to the Wexford captain, the Wexford defence busy. They marvellous safety-kick. O’Shea also saved ended in Con Murphy kicking who levelled up the scores by got a free close to the Wexford his side a moment later. into touch. kicking over the crossbar. posts, and Furlong again saved his side. Rice was responsible for Kerry ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES. WEXFORD’S GREAT resuming the attack, when T. Doyle A GRAND The pitch was invaded by the IMPROVEMENT. kicked clear, and with Maurice SPECTACLE Wexford followers after the match Speed and cleverness, the quick jump, McCarthy sending amongst the and Sean Kennedy, the captain of the short dash, the back punch, the forwards Dick Fitzgerald reduced the SOME the winning team, bearing the new short uplifting back-pass, as well as the Wexford lead by scoring a point. IMPRESSIONS OF G.S. and W.R. silver cup aloft; overhead handpass – these were the THE GAME Byrne, who scored the best goal of factors which told in yesterday’s game. AN EXCITING FINISH. the match from a 50 yards free; Kerry kicked cleaner often, it is true, Kerry were just now making efforts The crowd was one of Mackey, who by his coolness, but they went under to a cleverer lot in for the major score, but the defence enormous dimensions. It speed and cleverness took his side Wexford, who never approached beat them off repeatedly. Kerry now formed a deep human out of difficulties on several yesterday’s form in their previous got a free, which McCarthy drove to frame around the pitch. In occasions – each was raised on the games. Kerry may seek consolation – if Con Murphy, and Mackey conceded the corner opposite the shoulders of admirers and carried they need it after winning the first All- a “50” free, but nothing tangible stand entrance the big to the waiting motor cars. Others of Ireland trophy outright – in the fact that resulted, and after a great match the bank, which is about 150 the winning side had to go through they have helped to lift up the grand final whistle left Wexford well yards long and mounts the ordeal of hearty shaking of game several pegs in the estimation of deserved winners by 3 points clear as fully eighty or ninety feet, hundreds of hands. Even in the all true sportsmen, who place skill and above. was packed closely with motor cars the players could not dash before everything else. Their Mr. P. Dunphy (Abbeyleix) got people, which must have escape the excusable worthy skipper, Dick Fitzgerald, has through his duties as referee in a numbered three or four demonstrations of enthusiasm by not written a treatise on the game in most satisfactory manner. thousand. The bank below their followers. Cheering was kept vain. We saw his admirable lessons all The cup, which was a new trophy the pavilion was as thickly up for a considerable time after the put into practice yesterday, and the presented by the G.S. and W. crowded, while inside the long whistle had been blown. sight was edifying. Gaelic football is as Railway Co. was handed to Sean pitch all around the track It was a day that will certainly live clean as any other game, and Kennedy, the Wexford captain, by there were four or five in the memory of not only the indisputable evidence is furnished by Mr. E. A. Neale, general manager of rows of spectators, who Wexford admirers, but all those the fact that in yesterday’s struggle, the G.S. and W. Railway. witnessed the game under who were fortunate enough to punctuated as it was by thrilling bouts conditions of greater witness such a thrilling struggle. of close play, which are always THE GATE RECEIPTS. comfort than those outside. Nothing like the pace, tackling, and attended by a certain amount of risk, The attendance is roughly estimated The ideal weather kicking of the second half have not a man was injured, nor had the at 30,000, and the receipts were over prevailing and the thrilling ever been seen. Leaving aside the game to be stopped for even the £1,044. This is only slightly below nature of the struggle gave issue of the struggle, this game slightest trouble to any of the thirty the record gate receipts of £1,100, all the utmost enjoyment. served to show the tremendous players engaged in it. which were taken in at the Kerry v improvement wrought in the Much credit is due to Mr. P. Dunphy Louth match in the final of the Croke scientific side of football. Mere (Abbeyleix) for his refereeing. His Memorial Tournament. physical strength was never more decisions were always promptly noted, at a discount than in yesterday’s and none of them gave even the most game. rabid partisan ground for comment.