Thanks to Dr Dónal McAnallen of the Cardinal O’Fiaich Library and Archive, we’ve come across this report in the ‘Belfast Morning News’ of 4 March 1891 of a Gaelic football match played here all of 125 years ago:
GAELIC FOOTBALL
THE SHAMROCKS (DUNAMORE) v THE SHAMROCKS (NO 2, TULNACROSS).
This match came off on the grounds of the former on Sunday evening. The weather was not very favourable as the wind was rather brisk. The playing was splendidly done on both sides, and the match was stoutly contested, though with the utmost good humour, from beginning to end. It resulted in a victory for Dunamore of 1 goal and 1 point to 1 point for Tulnacross. Had Dunamore shown the same spirit and determination during the first, that they did during the last half-hour, their victory would have been still more decisive. Besides, it is only fair to say, that Tulnacross was supported by the best players of the Killeenan and Killuckan Clubs, whilst Dunamore played independent of any aid, which enhances the victory very considerably. Where everyone did his part so well it would be invidious to make any distinction.
