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137 years ago today (26th January 1884) Ireland played Scotland in the very first match in the newly created 'British Championship' series.
This was Ireland's 5th match but the previous 4 (2 against England & 2 against Wales) were played with nothing but pride at stake. 1/7
This was Ireland's 5th match but the previous 4 (2 against England & 2 against Wales) were played with nothing but pride at stake. 1/7
2/7 This was the 1st time Scotland were to be the opposition.
The match was played at the ground of Ulster FC at Ballynafeigh. Rain, sleet & snow had fallen the previous days so conditions were not great. Parts of the pitch was actually flooded.
Scotland won the match......
The match was played at the ground of Ulster FC at Ballynafeigh. Rain, sleet & snow had fallen the previous days so conditions were not great. Parts of the pitch was actually flooded.
Scotland won the match......
3/7 ....5-0 and went on to win the inaugural Home Internationals series.
After the match, the travelling party were entertained at the Castle Restaurant in Donegal Place before heading for the boat home.
One of the best players in Britain at the time was Scotland's.....
After the match, the travelling party were entertained at the Castle Restaurant in Donegal Place before heading for the boat home.
One of the best players in Britain at the time was Scotland's.....
4/7
..... Wattie Arnott. Pictured below is Wattie's shirt badge from the match. It is displayed, along with his boots & cap in the @SFootballMuseum
In quite a few articles about Wattie - it is noted that he also played for Linfield, being part of the 1892 Irish Cup winning...
..... Wattie Arnott. Pictured below is Wattie's shirt badge from the match. It is displayed, along with his boots & cap in the @SFootballMuseum
In quite a few articles about Wattie - it is noted that he also played for Linfield, being part of the 1892 Irish Cup winning...
5/7
.... team. From my research though, I am pretty certain that this is not the case. The W. Arnott who played for The Blues was actually Willie Arnott, a brother of Wattie. (Willie is pictured in the Linfield photo below)
.... team. From my research though, I am pretty certain that this is not the case. The W. Arnott who played for The Blues was actually Willie Arnott, a brother of Wattie. (Willie is pictured in the Linfield photo below)
6/7
Pictured below are Ireland players Matt Wilson & Billy Crone. The two are photographed in a Distillery line up with both players sporting their Ireland badge. The Scotland match was Matt Wilsons debut. He is believed to have been 41 at the time!
Pictured below are Ireland players Matt Wilson & Billy Crone. The two are photographed in a Distillery line up with both players sporting their Ireland badge. The Scotland match was Matt Wilsons debut. He is believed to have been 41 at the time!
7/7
The Ireland captain for the match was English born Jack Davison. Jack, whose father moved to Belfast due to work, was a founding member of Cliftonville. He was the only player to play in all of Ireland's first 5 matches.
The Ireland captain for the match was English born Jack Davison. Jack, whose father moved to Belfast due to work, was a founding member of Cliftonville. He was the only player to play in all of Ireland's first 5 matches.
