Another extract this morning from Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys, this time on Celtic’s first visit to Ireland…
With the inaugural tour of England complete, it was time to break yet more new ground, Celtic heading for Ireland, where they would play their first match in the country which had been so fundamental to its creation and existence, on Monday, 22 April 1889, the landmark opponents being Belfast’s Distillery.
The first Celtic side to play on Irish soil was as follows:
John Kelly;
Willie McCallum (Hibernian) & Mick McKeown;
Pat Dowling (Hibernian), James Kelly & Jimmy McLaren;
Neil McCallum, Mick Dunbar, Willie Groves, Johnny Coleman & Tom Maley.
Over 6,000 spectators turned out at the Broadway ground in Belfast, to watch the Celts play their third game in just four days, the players’ ‘day off’ consisting of a sea-journey between England and Ireland. Nevertheless, the Bhoys would prove too strong for their Irish opponents, winning the game thanks to a solitary goal from Jimmy McLaren. Broadway at that time was the home ground of Belfast Gaels. In 1891, it would play host to the initial games played by Belfast Celtic, the new club named in honour of their Glasgow forebearers.
On Tuesday, 23 April 1889, the day after Celtic’s victory over Distillery, the Glasgow version was in action again at the same venue, the opposition this time coming in the shape of United Belfast, for the second and final match of the tour. Paddy Gallagher and Willie Maley replaced the latter’s sibling Tom and guest player Willie McCallum of Hibernian as another 5,000 curious Irish spectators rolled up to Broadway.
They would enjoy the sight of United Belfast returning to the pavilion 2-1 ahead at the interval, however, the second half would be a different matter entirely, Celts banging in four goals to emerge triumphant by 5-2, Mick Dunbar, Johnny Coleman, Mick McKeown and Neil McCallum all in on the Irish scoring action.
As the happy but exhausted Celtic party made their way back across the Irish Sea, there would be much to contemplate as the anniversary of their first match approached. So much had already been achieved. It had been an incredible opening year for those with the Bould Bhoys at heart.
And we still had May to enjoy before the players and supporters could enjoy the summer break.
Matt Corr
