Leinster Senior Football Final, Nov. 1922: Kilkenny vs. Dublin

From 1920 to 1930 nine Kilkenny Senior Football Championships were held, and Glenmore played in all nine of the Finals. There was no county championship in 1921. Glenmore won in 1920; 1922; 1923; 1924; and 1929. Today we are going to feature the Leinster Senior Football final played at Croke Park on the 5^th of November 1922 between Kilkenny and Dublin. Nine of the fifteen Kilkenny players were from the Glenmore Senior Football team. The referee was Mr. J. Byrne of Wexford. Previously we published on 24 April 2022 the names of the Glenmore players and an account of the game found in the Kilkenny People. Today, we are covering the accounts in the Irish Independent and Munster Express. Although the country was suffering a civil war with daily attacks on railways and motor cars no mention of the difficulties associated with players attempting to travel to practice or to matches appeared in the newspaper coverage outside Kilkenny. However, it was noted that  “the crowd was very small and threatening rain made matters disagreeable for everyone. The proceedings were enlivened by the music of the Artane School Band and the O’Toole’s Pipers” (Munster Express, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 4). This game was still being mentioned in local newspapers five decades after it was played (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Oct. 1976, p. 10).

Leinster Senior Football Final

Most of the account below was sourced from the Munster Express (Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 4). First names and teams were added to the Kilkenny players mentioned in the newspaper account. Additional information was obtained from the Irish Independent ((Mon. 6 Nov. 1922, p. 9) including the figures of the match.

The First Half

From the throw in Dublin broke away but their movement was checked. Frank Hughes (Cloneen) sent wide from a free. Bill Irish (Glenmore) held up the Dublin offensive, and Kilkenny went on the attack and were rewarded with a free which was missed by Jimmy Hanrahan (Glenmore). Dublin dashed off on the kickout, and P. McDonnell (sec) sent the ball outside. The Kilkenny backs cleared a Dublin return and were given two frees. One free was at midfield and the second on the right wing awarded to Paddy Cody (Glenmore). Mick Connolly (Glenmore) took the free and sent it over the bar for a point. “With five minutes gone play of a high order was the rule, and Kilkenny, doing very well against the champions, caused their supporters to grow jubilant.”

“Good play by Carey, P. McDonnell and Johnny Synott ended in Dalton bringing off a splendid save in the Kilkenny goal. Dublin kept up the offensive, and P. McDonnell semt in a minor. Kilkenny responded with a determined rush, and the Dublin side had a close shave, J. McDonnell saving and clearing a low shot from Connolly (Glenmore). Kilkenny worked back and had a free which, well judged by J. McKenna (Cotterstown), ended in Mick Connolly (Glenmore) forcing a “50”. J. McKenna’s (Cotterstown) kick was neatly placed, but the Dublin end was crossed without result. Soon the Kilkenny backs were relieving in dashing style, and Frank Hughs (Cloneen) led the Marble County attacking. Martin Cody (Glenmore) centred for Jim Phelan (Glenmore) to shoot. Bill Irish (Glenmore) returned, and the Dublin end was again crossed. Dublin went to work in a determined fashion, but they had no impression on the Kilkenny backs.  From a free P. McDonnell drove wide.

Kilkenny engaged in a vigorous offensive and Mick Connolly (Glenmore), receiving from Frank Hughes (Cloneen), scored a point. The pace was remarkable fast, and both sides were giving a “grand exhibition.” Kilkenny again got the upper hand and J. McKenna (Cotterstown) took a free from which John Fitzgerald (Glenmore) met with hard luck in a splendid attempt. Bill Irish (Glenmore) was responsible for holding up a Dublin effort, but the Metropolitans were not to be denied. A stiff Dublin attack found the Kilkenny custodian, Pat Dalton (Cloneen), all alone. Dublin fought their way back from a free, but the honours were with the Kilkenny line of defence after a thrilling struggle. Norris and Reilly were prominent in a Dublin return, but the Kilkenny backs were not to be beaten, and an over resulted. Kilkenny were lasting the hot pace well. They again broke away, and a well placed centre by Jimmy Hanrahan (Glenmore) was mis-judge by Paddy Cody (Glenmore). At the other end P. McDonnell sent wide. A return by Dublin found the Kilkenny backs at their best. Eventually, P. McDonnell got in a great shot which Pat Dalton (Knocktopher) saved amidst cheers. Very good play marked the closing stages of the first half, the interval finding Kilkenny leading by 2 points to 1 point.

Second Half

With a breeze in their favour Dublin got away on the play resuming. P. McDonnel (sic) sent it wide. A return was beaten off, and Kilkenny pressed. Jimmy Hanrahan (Glenmore) sent it in for the Dublin backs to clear in capital style. Dublin were now having the better of the play. A free aided Dublin in a forward movement, which ended in P. McDonnell receiving from O’Reilly and kicking a fine overhead point. With the scores level there was keen enthusiasm, both sides battling hard for the lead. A great Dublin on rush was checked by the Kilkenny backs, who were gamely bearing the brunt of the struggle. The Dublin forwards were not doing too well, and a succession of wides were registered before Dalton once more proved to be the men in the gap, by brining off a magnificent save. When Kilkenny looked like it was getting away a foul spoiled the play. The ensuring Dublin attack, which was prolonged, met with a splendid resistance.

Dublin got three over before P. McDonald sent in a point which gave them the lead. Dublin renewed the offensive, and a minor followed for Donovan, who was always conspicuous. Nothing daunted, Kilkenny got away, and engaged in a brief attack, which was repulsed, Dublin again invading to go over. Despite the great efforts of the Kilkenny backs, Donovan and P. McDonnell were responsible for two further points. Kilkenny broke through, and looked like scoring until J. McKenna (Cotterstown) sent over. A free well placed by Jimmy Hanrahan (Glenmore) was sent wide of the Dublin posts by John Fitzgerald (Glenmore). Dublin again showed supremacy, and after twice crossing the Kilkenny end of the field Shanahan placed for P. McDonald who from a low ground shot, sent in an “unsavable goal.” In a Dublin return John Synott drove wide. Dublin continued to have the best of matters, and Robbins from far out kicked a point which left Dublin winning well at the end. The final score was Dublin 1-7; Kilkenny 0-2.

Often it gives a more balanced account to read what a newspaper in the opposing team’s area reported on a match, however it appears that the Munster Express was just a shorter version of the earlier article in The Irish Independent (Mon. 6 Nov. 1922, p. 9). The Irish Independent noted that for the first half hour “it was a really good game, the splendid stand made by the visitors coming as something of a surprise.” The pace was fast and Kilkenny engaged in strong, dashing tactics which resulted n their leading at half time. While their backs show up splendidly all through there were times when their forwards could have done better with the chances that came their way. Pat Dalton, of Knocktopher, acquitted himself with credit and played with the Kilkenny team which beat Meath in the Leinster final 7 years previously.

Dublin played an evenly balanced game and “though well tried in the opening half showed marked superiority in the closing stages.” The closing half was altogether in favour of the home team, but still the play continued interesting to the end “the Kilkenny men were always fighting pluckily. Kilkenny were minus the services of two of their original selection: one of the Brennans and Wattie Lawler, of Cloneen who was traveling by motor car failed to reach the city.

FIGURES OF THE MATCH

First Half        Frees               50’s                 Wides             Goals              Points            

Kilkenny            3                     1                        2                      0                      2
Dublin 4 0 3 0 1

Second Half
Kilkenny             3                     0                        2                      0                      0
Dublin                 7                    0                       14                     1                      6

Dublin Team—P. Carey (Capt); J. McDonnell (goal); W. Robbins; J. Carey; Joe Synott; John Synott; J. Norris; J. Reilly (O’Toole’s); F. Burke; T. Pierce (Collegians); Joe Joyce (Parnells); W. Donovan (Kickhams); M. Shanahan; C. McDonnell (St. Mary’s) and sub A. Gibbons (O’Toole’s) who replaced Joe Synott who was injured in the first half.

Kilkenny Team—M. Cody (Capt); A. Heffernan; P. Hartley; J. Phelan; W. Irish; P. Cody; J. Hanrahan; M. Connolly; J. Fitzgerald (Glenmore); P. Dalton (goal) (Knocktopher), A. Brennan; P. Hughes; T. Brennan (Cloneen); J. McKenna; W. Landy (Cotterstown).

Kilkenny Team (from Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Oct. 1976, p. 10) Martin Cody (Captain), Andy Heffernan, Pat Hartley, Jim Phelan, Bill Irish, John Fitzgerald, Mick Connolly, Paddy Cody, Jimmy Hanrahan (Glenmore); Pat Dalton, goal (Knocktopher), Tom Brennan, Frank Hughes, Andy Brennan (Cloneen), J. McKenna and Wattie Landy (Cotterstown).

A week later, the Kilkenny Senior Football team members were to play each other on Sunday the 12^th of November 1922, when old rivals Glenmore and Cloneen were scheduled to play at St. James Park, Kilkenny for the Kilkenny senior Football County Championship (Munster Express, Sat. 11 Nov. 1922, p. 6).  After winning the Leinster Senior Football Championship, Dublin went on to become the All-Ireland Senior Football Champions (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Oct. 1976, p. 10) beating the Connaght Champions, Galway.

Please send any corrections, further information, or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

For previous articles on Glenmore football see, [1] our post of 24 April 2022;
[2] “The Roaring Twenties: Glenmore’s Championship 1920 Senior Football Match Played in Feb. 1922,”
published on 20 Febuary 2022;
[3] “Glenmore Football During the Roaring Twenties: 1920-1921,” published on 9 August 2021;
[4] “Kilkenny Gaelic Football Team: USA Champions 1920,” published on 29 April 2021;
[5] “Long Road to VIctory: Glenmore 1916 Senior Football Co. Kilkenny Champions,” published on 7 February 2021;
[6] “Michael J. Hanrahan (1888-1968): Early Twentieth Century Gaelic Football on Both Sides of the Atlantic,” published on 28 November 2020;
[7] “The Tenacious Glenmore 1915 Football Team: Co. Kilkenny Senior Football Champions,” published on 11 October 2020;
[8] “The Glenmore Football Club: The Trials and Tragedies of the 1906 Co. Kilkenny Gaelic Football Champions,” published on 30 August 2020.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh