Sports and Pastimes, The Connacht Tribune, 26th August 1933

Introduction

Mullingar — once the chief town of the Pale — was the chief centre in Gaeldom on last Sunday when Galway defeated Dublin by 0—8 to 1—4 in the All—Ireland Senior Football Semi—Final before a crowd of 8,000 spectators.

At the same venue Mayo defeated Dublin by 12 points to 8 points in the Minor Football Semi—Final.

Accommodation at the Press table was entirely inadequate and like some other members of the "Fourth Estate", I had to content myself with a seat in the third row from the sideline.

Placing myself unostentatiously in the midst of a group composed of rival camp followers, I watched the march past of the opposing teams led by Mullingar Confraternity band and saw the assembled thousands stand bareheaded while "Faith of Our Fathers" and the National Anthem was being played prior to the start of the game.

Mr. P. J. Masterson, wearing a scarlet jersey, lined up the Galway v. Dublin teams at 3.45p.m. The ball was thrown in by Right Rev. Dr. Drumm, Bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A., who was accompanied by Mr. Padraic O'Keeffe, General Secretary of the G.A.A.

Before the spectators had time to realise what was happening, Gerald Fitzgerald sent in a goal for Dublin and the Galway followers gasped with consternation. Play was then transferred to Dublin territory where Galway, assisted by the breeze and sun, pressed hard. Donnellan was fouled and Nestor sent wide from the free.

An infringement by Galway followed the kick out, Dowling sent to Fitzgerald, but the latter sent wide. An attack by Dublin forwards was beaten off by Brennan the Galway custodian.

There were cries of "Come on Yarrah" from the Dublin enthusiasts, and the player thus addressed sent well up the field. "Boys, but that's a drive against the wind," shouted a Dublin supporter. "Good, Hickey," "Grandom Synott," roared the Metropolitan fans as Peter Synott put Dublin further ahead by a point. Galway's supporters paled with dismay.

The Play Begins

From the kick out Burke, Galway beat his opponents and sent towards the Dublin net where McDonnell was called on to clear. Galway kept up the pressure and the defenders only saved at the expense of a "50". Fox, Galway, put the forwards in possession but after the ball crossing the goalmouth on two occasions it went behind. Galway backs were again tested but McCarthy beat off the attack.

Brendan Nestor sent over Galway's first point off a free. "Good boy, Ginger," "Well played Ginger," called out a chorus of Dublin voices as O'Brien put the Galway backs in motion again. "Hi, ref., that fellow wants to take it home with him," roared a Dublin enthusiast as a Galway player took a few lengthy strides with the ball.

A free to Galway went wide. O'Brien got possession from the kick out and there were shouts of "Ginger's playing an awful game today," in the well—known Dublin dialect. Carey beat off a Dublin attack and Brendan Nestor secured Galway's second point off a free — a performance which he repeated two minutes later.

Galway's defence line was again called into action when Powell put the Dublin forwards in possession but Dowling sent wide. Cavanagh, Dublin, returned from the kick out. "There's a great drive and nobody looking," remarked a Metropolitan enthusiast, amidst laughter, but the Galway backs sent out of danger and Nestor put Galway on even terms with their opponents with a neat point off a free. Galway's followers shouted themselves hoarse and there were cries of "Good old Galway" from all parts of the field.

Dowling (Dublin) got possession from the kick out and sent well into Galway territory. "That's the tower of the Round Towers," remarked an admirer on the sideline.

Galway's Attack

"We're off; we're off," called out a group of Dublin fans as their favourites looked like sending in a goal, but Carey and Connaire succeeded in sending out of danger. Galway now assumed the offensive and Donnellan gave Galway the lead by fisting over a point.

There was a roar of applause for the Galway veteran from the "Men of the West" as their hopes of victory began to soar high, but a minute later, "Ginger" O'Brien equalised for Dublin again. Mitchell gave Galway the lead again and excitement ran high. Martin Kelly sent in a hot shot for a goal which the Dublin custodian saved only at the expense of a point. Keeping up the pressure, O'Toole (Galway) sent to Nestor. "Put it over the lath, Brendan," shouted the Galway supporters, and Nestor responded with his usual accuracy, to leave Galway leading by 2 points. "come on; Galway; now for Croke Park," roared a thousand Galway enthusiasts in unison as Carey broke up a determined Dublin attack. An infringement by Dublin close up gave Nestor an opportunity of adding another point to Galway's lead, leaving the half—time scores:
Galway — 8 points
Dublin — 1 goal 2 points.
During the interval the breeze, which favoured Galway in the first half, now increased its velocity and it was the general opinion that Galway could not possibly hold out against wind, sun, and the Dublin combination, but before a quarter of an hour had elapsed it was agreed the fine defensive display of the Galway backs would render a Dublin victory well nigh impossible.

High—class football was out of the question as dust and cinders swept the playing pitch like a sand storm in a desert. Galway's defence in this period will go down as one of the greatest achievements in the history of Gaelic football.

Early in the second half Ned McCann (Dublin) got a free in dangerous proximity of the Galway posts. "Shove it over the lath, Ned," came the admonishing shout from the Metropolitan ranks on the side line. A splendid effort to carry out the advice was frustrated by Carey, who cleared in splendid style. Kelly received in midfield and put the Dublin backs in motion. Dublin returned to the attack but Powell sent wide. The kick out against the wind did not bring Galway much relief, but Carey broke through the opposing ranks and sent to midfield amidst shouts of "Lovely, Carey".

Galway forwards got possession but instead of shooting for a score started playing to the gallery by giving an exhibition of hand passing which resulted in Hickey (Dublin) relieving them of the ball amidst angry shouts of "Serve ye right" from numerous Galway followers. Dublin pressed again and Synott sent into the net but the whistle had gone before he received the all and Galway got a free out, much to the relief of their supporters. Another free followed but Hickey and Keating beat off the Galway attack and returned to the forwards who sent wide.

Over the Bar

"Ginger" O'Brien received from the kick out and sent in a shot which drew from the Dublin supporters a shout of "That's over the lath". It wasn't. McCarthy, Hughes and O'Sullivan were now putting up a desperate defence for Galway. Carey was like a stone wall in front of the Dublin forwards and their Herculean work against almost overwhelming odds was such an outstanding performance that even the opposition ranks "could scarce forbear to cheer".

Galway now saved at the expense of a "50". McCann drove in but the Galway defence line was impregnable, and Fox, who was playing the game of his life, broke through the Dublin ranks amidst a storm of applause.

Keating returned but Powell sent wide. When Galway kicked out the breeze was so strong that it drove the ball back over the end line and gave Dublin a "50" — an incident without recorded precedent in G.A.A. annais. "That looks like a Yo—Yo exhibition," remarked a wag in a back seat. Galway cleared from the "50" and their supporters became ecstatic with delight as twenty minutes of the second half had passed without Dublin's most determined efforts being able to penetrate the Galway defence.

"For Another"

Brennan, the Dublin goalie, saved a hot shot in the region of the crossbar. Dublin keeping up the pressure obtained a "50" which Cavanagh centred nicely, Synott received and in fisting over the lath reduced Galway's lead by a point. Galway broke away but Hickey returned and Galway backs saved at the expense of a "50", from which O'Brien scored a point. "Now for another", roared the Dublin supporters, but the Galway backs clenched their teeth and set themselves to ensure that other point would not go through. Dublin tried again and again to send in the equaliser but failed just as much because of the erratic shooting of their forwards as the stout defence of the Galway backs. Fitzgerald (Dublin) sent in a shot which was saved on the Galway line.

Galway got going again but their forwards indulged in another exhibition of hand passing which lost them what looked like a certain score. They should have heard the adjectives used to describe their conduct at that moment.

Dublin tore down the field and got a free. "Come on, Dublin," "Put it over," "Your last chance," were some of the many admonitions roared at McCann, but the Galway defence was sound and a further free by Dowling went wide. Galway kicked out again, but owing to the wind the ball behaved like a Googly and went everywhere but the spot to which it was directed.

Dublin fought might and main to capture that elusive point but their best efforts ended in failure, and when the final whistle sounded leaving Galway victorious by 1 point the cheer that went up from the men of the West awakened the echoes from Knockdrin to the Hill of Uisneac.

Galway's supporters crowded on to the playing pitch and chaired their heroes off the field, while a forest of green and white flags and emblems flew boldly in the breeze.

Teams: Galway: Ml. Brennan (goal), Hugh Carey, Ml. Connaire, Denis O'Sullivan, Thos Hughes, Tadg McCarthy, Frank Fox, Martin Kelly, John Dunne, Francis Burke, Brendan Nestor, Michael O'Higgins, Michl. Donnellan, Dermot Mitchell, and Edward O'Toole.

Dublin: John McDonnell, James O'Shea, Gerald McLoughlin, Desmond Brennan, Patk. Hickey, Edward McCann, Patk. Cavanagh, Ml. Keating, C. Duffy, Wm. Dowling, Gerard Fitzgerald, Ml. Wellington, Peter Synott, George Powell, and Michael O'Brien.

Mayo Defeats Dublin — in Minor Match

Mayo created a surprise by defeating the Dublin selection on a score of 12 points to 8. In the opening stages of the game Mayo favoured by the breeze, stormed the Dublin citadel and Hoban and Mongey sent over 2 points each before their opponents could get a chance of entering the Mayo territory. Mongey increased Mayo's lead by another point, after which Dublin got away but their attack was easily beaten off and Bracken, Gallaher and Hoban added three further points for Connacht's representatives.

From a kick out Dublin made a fast run against the breeze and a point brought them their first score per Moore. From a "50" Mongey increased Mayo's lead by a further point and a few minutes later Hoban added Mayo's tenth point. Moore scored Dublin's second point off a free, and Hoban immediately replied at the other end, leaving the Westerns leading at half time by 11 points to 2.

On resuming Mayo, facing a stiff breeze, put the Dublin backs in action when Bracken added Mayo's twelfth and final point amidst a storm of applause from the spectators.

Dublin now assumed the offensive and sent in two points per Galvin and Moore. Maher increased Dublin's score by another point. Mayo broke away on a few occasions but were unable to register a score, and Dublin aided by the breeze came back again to snatch two points per Moore and one per Galvin leaving the final scores:
Mayo — 12 points
Dublin — 8 points

Mr. J. V. Kelly, Longford, refereed.
The outstanding feature of the match was the accurate marksmanship of T. Hoban (Mayo), who was applauded by the spectators time after time for his clever scores from difficult angles. Mayo took full advantage of the wind during the first half and their forwards were far superior to those on the Dublin team. The Western team gave an excellent display and deserved their victory.
Teams: Mayo: W. McHale (goal), B. Armstrong, J. O'Neill, J. Donohoe, J. Wright, B. Duggan, J. Murphy, W. Mongey, J. Munnelly, M. Gallaher, J. Bracken, R. Winters, J. J. Kilroy, T. Hoban, M. Griffin.
Dublin: M.F. Barron (goal), T. Bastable, G. Moore, K. Cahill, P. Maher, J. Glavin, P. Farrelly, E. Boland, G. Ingham, G. Moore, P. Rooney, F. McLoughlin, W. Malone, P. Bermingham, A. Byrne.

The All—Ireland Team

The success of the County Galway senior football team against Dublin in Mullingar on Sunday is largely the result of the intensive training the team underwent in Tuam for two weeks previous to the context under the capable supervision of their trainer, Mr. Tom Molloy, Tuam, and his assistant, Mr. Todd Ryan, who when the day's training was over gave each man a massage which no doubt stood them well when the gruelling test was tried out against a doughty and well—trained Dublin selection.

It is to the credit of each member of the team that they attended regularly to each day's training and carried out the instructions of their trainers, with regularity and good will. Each member of the team also attended Mass daily in Tuam Cathedral, and it was a grand climax to their work when on the Sunday morning of the match they marched in a body to the Cathedral and received Holy Communion.

The team that trained and lived as the Galway team did in preparation for last Sunday's great game could not be defeated and are bound to win higher laurels.

Team to Visit U.S.A.?

As a result of the victory in Mullingar on Sunday it is rumoured that the Galway county team will be invited to play a series of games in the U.S.A. next summer.

West Board Fixtures

At Oranmore on Sunday next, August 27.
Castlegar v. Claregalway (Minor Hurling), at 2.30 p.m. Referee, E. Kelly.
Clarinbridge v. Claddagh (Minor Hurling) at 3.45 p.m. Referee W. Keane.
Oranmore v. Claregalway (Juvenile Hurling), at 5.00 p.m. Referee E. Kelly.

Claddagh Minor Hurling Team

The following players of the Claddagh Minor Hurling Team are requested to be at the Claddagh Hall on Sunday, August 27, at 2.15 sharp to proceed by bus to Oranmore: J. Cubbord, J. Connor, P. Noone, M. Noone, Faherty (2) T. Cloherty, — O'Shea, — Egan, Joe Tumming, Joe Cooke, R. Ebbs, M. Turk, P. Naughton, — Liddane, S. McDonagh, F. Fitzgerald, P. Flaherty, W. O'Brien, M. Connell, J. Hynes, E. Grealish, Coleman Geary, C. McDonagh.