Fermoy Swifts play 'socker' match at Mill Field in 1903

The following report from an archive copy of the Irish Examiner, courtesy of Joe Aherne, recounts a soccer match between the Swifts (Fermoy) v Leinster, place at the Mill Field (where Tesco is now being built) on St Patrick’s Day in 1903 - 24 years before the local soccer club was founded.

SWIFTS (FERMOY) V LEINSTER

On St Patrick’s Day, the above teams met in the Mill Field, Fermoy in the presence of over 500 spectators, and the day being a fine one, the turf on the right side and both teams in hard training, a good match was expected. Nor were the spectators disappointed, and a finer exhibition of the ‘socker’ game has seldom been witnessed in Fermoy, both teams playing with a dash and courage which showed they were noble exponents of the game. In point of strength and physique the Leinsters held the advantage, but lacked the quickness and confidence of the Swifts who ably led by their small but powerful captain, gained a well-earned victory. A pleasing feature of the afternoon was the quantity of shamrock which decorated the headgear and button-holes of the spectators, both military and civilians alike.

Leinsters won the toss and elected to play with a slight wind to their back, and the teams lined out as follows:

Swifts – McConville, Daly, Conners, Dinneen, J Ahern (captain), Spillane, M Ahern, Llewellyn, O’Connell, Collins, Paye.

Leinsters – Farrell, Johnson, Mahony, Key, Doyle, Grant, Kelly (captain), Gray, O’Brien, Garvey, Maguire.

O’Brien opened to Kelly who sent to Gray who came along the sideline, but Spillane sent the ball back and play remained at the centre for some time. The Leinsters again attacked through Kelly and Garvey, but J Ahern was one too many for them, the ball going back again, and O’Connell getting possession sent out to W Ahern who sent to Collins, who had hard luck in missing the net. Following up their advantage from a free, the Swifts cleared and forced a corner, but Johnson saved well. Swifts again attacked through and Llewellyn, but Doyle drove them back, and Jim Ahern getting possession passed all opposition and sent to O’Connell who sent to Dinneen, and the latter sent in a splendid shot from the sideline which beat Farrell and the ball rolled into the net amidst a wild outburst of applause. Leinsters now tried to draw level, but the two Aherns and Conners kept them back, and half-time whistle went, leaving the score: Swifts 1 goal Leinsters Nil.

In the first minute Kelly broke away cleverly and centred well, but the chance was missed. Swifts now played with confidence and O’Connell getting possession sent out to Llewellyn, who wore down all opposition, and with a splendid shot, scored Swifts’ second goal. Leinsters came away, but J Ahern and Spillane sent them back and W Ahern, Llewellyn and O’Connell took the ball right up to the Leinsters’ goal, where in a maul the ball again found the net. Grant now put his side on the aggressive, and Kelly and Garvey charged McConville, and the latter being overpowered Garvey had no trouble in placing a goal to his credit.

Swifts now attacked, Farrell saving twice. Play was pretty and exciting, J Ahern doing great work for his side. Leinsters, through Kelly, Garvey and Grant, relieved; but Collins and Llewellyn sent them back and from a free in front of the post Collins sent in Swifts’ fourth goal. Fulltime soon after, leaving the score: Swifts 4 goals Leinsters 1 goal.