Match report

Glorious spring sunshine greeted both sets of players on their arrival on the field. It was late afternoon when referee Dan Fraher of Waterford threw in the sliothar and got the game going. At half-time Cork were in front by 0-4 to 0-0, but it was in the second half that the game developed into a thriller. Stylish play by Cork captain Bill O'Callaghan

Bill O'Callaghan

William Henry ‘Bill’ O’Callaghan was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Redmond's and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1890s. O’Callaghan captained Cork to All-Ireland victory in 1892.-Biography:...

, who was striking top form in midfield, spraying passes to his men on the wings and foraging deeply into the Dublin area, eventually brought a vital goal and

The excitement was too much for a 32-year-old Dubliner named John Nevin, who collapsed and died on the sideline during the second half. Play continued with both teams hurling furiously to notch the decisive goal.

Dublin, with the wind and sun behind them, pressed forward towards the Drumcondra end of the field, where the Cork defenders held out. Then a long, relieving clearance by Kenneally sent Redmonds into the attack once again and led to a frantic scrimmage in the Dublin goalmouth. The ball eventually crossed the goal-line but the Dublin backs objected strongly, claiming that it had gone over the point-line first. There was a heated argument in the goalmouth before Dan Fraher made up his mind and awarded a goal to Cork.

The Dublin players threatened to walk off the pitch, and spectators, referee and umpires were soon involved in an argument. In a bid to avoid the game being abandoned, the referee then reversed his decision, saying "All right, I won't allow the goal. Let the Central Council decide. Now come on lads, it's getting late. We must finish the match." But it was too late. Several Dublin players had already left the ground and some had actually gone to work where they were due at 1:30pm. The referee had no choice but to abandon the game.

Because Dublin players withdrew the Central Council of the GAA

Gaelic Athletic Association

The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...

later awarded the title to Cork.