Recently we have carried features on Pearses SFC success back in 1968 and Eire Og who won their only SFC in 1947 and today we look at Michael Davitt’s who gained their only championship success back in 1923
My thanks to Tommy Shaw who provided us with his ‘Best 15’ footballers this week and included photographs and I am again indebted to the Davitt’s chairman for his report on the club’s famous 1923 success.
The report is taken from a local paper at the time and the language used is much different to that used today but we have reproduced it in its entirety.
Davitt’s defeat Stephen’s in Great game
Gaelic Football Antrim final 1923
Davitt’s 0-5 James Stephen’s 0-1
The County Antrim Football Championship Final (S.A.D.) between the Davitt’s and Stephens team at Norfolk Park, Belfast will go down on record as being one of the finest matches associated with the competition during the past ten years.
From start to finish the game provided all that could be desired, the exposition of Gaelic witnessed being really splendid. The teams displayed excellent sportsmanship throughout and their co-operation at all times with the referee in discharge of his duties was such that his task was rendered a comparatively simple and at the same time most enjoyable one.
Davitt’s who last year won the Junior Championship, placed another notable achievement to their credit by annexing the honours of yesterday’s match. Their victory by 0-5 to 0-1 over the Stephens being of such a decisive nature as to leave not the least doubt as to the merits of their success.
The game was patronised by a large and enthusiastic crowd, and the pitch being in perfect order was patronised by a large and enthusiastic crowd and the pitch being in perfect order, the exchanges were contested at a very fast pace throughout.
The first half was of a fairly even nature with the Davitt’s (who played uphill) very nippy in combination, but a shade erratic around goal. The game was fast and the Gaelic extremely good and the Stephens defence in which Gallagher and Best were prominent proving resourceful against the sweeping rushes of the Davitt’s forwards of whom O’Brien and |Davey displayed cleverness and intuition of a high order, the exchanges the while rousing the spectators to great enthusiasm.
At periods the strong wind upset many well intentioned efforts on both sides, although as the game advanced the Davitt’s held a marked advantage forward, but as already stated, the Stephens rear-guard were strong and resourceful and rarely if ever allowed O’Brien, Davey and Co. much chance of shooting from close in.
Rice had only one difficult drive to negotiate, that being from O’Brien from 30 yards range while his vis-à-vis Murray had also little or nothing to do. Towards the interval the teams exhibited magnificent Gaelic, their ‘catching’ leaving little to be desired.
In a couple of breakaways the Stephen’s front rank, McKeown, Donaghy and Quinn combined well but their final effort was negative by the timely intervention of Dunn who transferred the scene of operations. From Dunn’s admirable clearance Armstrong secured and in turn transferred to Davey, the later parting to C Hayes who lost no time in opening the score with a well taken point for Davitt’s. Up to this point the infringements on each side were very few and those of a minor character only. At the interval Davitt’s led 0-1 to 0-0.
Shortly after the resumption the Stephens infused more vim than hitherto into their work, but practically every attempt by Donaghy and Quinn (the Stephens left wing) to open the game forward was negative by Lyons, whose anticipation and skilful interception tactics were a notable feature throughout the second half.
After five minutes the Stephens, subsequent to fine footwork and strong driving by Tommy Donnelly and Toner and McGarrigle, in turn enabled McKeown to get away but a free spoiled the movement. Davitt’s were quicker and stronger in movement and tackled better than Stephens. Stephens persistency was rewarded by a free from which J Best equalised with a splendidly judged drive amidst applause.
From this period onwards the Davitt’s with the exception of a few spasmodic raids by their opponents, held the upper hand and after Davey regained the lead for them with a nice point the Davitt’s increased the score still further by three points (O’Brien 0-2 and Davey)
Stephens, despite the fact that they subsequently contested every inch of the ground in determined fashion were unable to reduce their arrears. Davitt’s youthful and virile thus finished comfortable and well deserved winners.
A GREAT MATCH
The contest thoroughly please the large patronage present, the opinion expressed on all sides being, ”it was a great match”. Both sides played the game as it should be played and are to be congratulated accordingly. At the finish the Stephens captain (Mr Joe Gallagher) on behalf of his colleague’s extended hearty congratulations to the Davitt’s captain (Mr T Lyons) con his team’s fine victory and notable achievement. The Stephen’s consistent with their excellent sporting traditions were unanimous that he better team won.
It is worth noting that three great Antrim stars of this era, namely Gerry Armstrong, Terry Lyons and John O’Brien were part of this historic winning side.
