The First All-Ireland Senior Football Final: Limerick's Historic 1887 Victory
The 1887 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship marked the beginning of a legendary tradition in Irish sport. As the inaugural inter-county Gaelic football tournament—a competition designed to determine the top team in Ireland—it culminated in a historic final that set the stage for over a century of athletic rivalry and passion.
The Clash at Beech Hill
The final took place on April 29, 1888, at O'Byrne's field in Beech Hill, Donnybrook, Dublin. At the time, this venue served as the home ground for the Dublin club Benburbs. The match featured two teams representing their respective counties: Louth was represented by the county champions, Dundalk Young Irelands, while Limerick was represented by Limerick Commercials, the winners of the Limerick county championship.
The game was played with 21 players per side, a different format than the modern game. Louth utilized the wind to their advantage during the first half, holding a lead of two points at the interval with a score of 0–3 to 0–1.
Historic Firsts and Match Turning Points
The 1887 final was a series of milestones for Gaelic football. Jim Keating of Louth etched his name into the record books by becoming the first player to register a score in an All-Ireland football final. However, the momentum shifted in the second half when William Spain scored the first-ever goal in a final.
Limerick, often referred to as the Treaty men, overcame the early deficit to win the match by four points, finishing with a final score of 1–4 (7 points) to Louth's 0–3 (3 points). The event was a significant draw for the era, with gate receipts totaling £300. This victory marked the first of two All-Ireland football titles for Limerick, with their second coming in 1896.
Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 April 1888 |
| Venue | Beech Hill, Donnybrook, Dublin |
| Winner | Limerick (1–4) |
| Runner-up | Louth (0–3) |
| Referee | John Cullinane (Tipperary) |
| Gate Receipts | £300 |
The Legacy of the Winner's Medals
Interestingly, the victorious Limerick team did not receive their winner's medals until 1910, more than two decades after the match was played. Because of their age and historical significance, these medals have become highly prized collectors' items.
- Malachi O'Brien: The man-of-the-match's gold medal was sold at Sotheby's in London in 2005 for €26,500, which was three times its guide price. It was believed to be the oldest All-Ireland football medal in existence and was purchased by the Limerick Leader for display in Limerick.
- Jeremiah Kennedy: In June 2023, a medal awarded to the Limerick midfielder was sold at a Dublin auction for €32,000.
Team Lineups
Limerick (Limerick Commercials)
- 1. Denis Corbett (GK) (Captain)
- 2. Tim Fitzgibbon
- 3. William Gunning
- 4. Richard Breen
- 5. John Hyland
- 6. Thomas McNamara
- 7. William Spain
- 8. Pat Corbett
- 9. Michael Slattery
- 10. Jeremiah Kennedy
- 11. Michael Casey
- 12. James Mulqueen
- 13. Malachi O'Brien
- 14. Patrick Kelly
- 15. Tim Kennedy
- 16. Philip Keating
- 17. William Cleary
- 18. Robert Normoyle
- 19. Pat Reeves
- 20. Thomas Keating
- 21. Tom McMahon
Louth (Dundalk Young Irelands)
- 1. Edward Feeley (GK)
- 2. Pat Clarke
- 3. John Dowdall
- 4. Henry Fagan
- 5. Jack Connor
- 6. John McCrave
- 7. Pat McGuinness
- 8. Tom Murphy
- 9. Edward Murphy
- 10. Tom O'Rourke
- 11. William Whately
- 12. Arthur O'Hagan
- 13. Michael Carroll (Captain)
- 14. Pat Morgan
- 15. Edward Goodman
- 16. John Maguire
- 17. Jim Keating
- 18. James Campbell
- 19. Pat McGinn
- 20. Peter Jackson
- 21. Tom Lavery
- Substitute: 22. Sam Keating