On Wed. 22nd January 1888, a very interesting and exciting match was played between Killorglin and Killarney at the grounds of the Killarney Cricket and Athletic Club, resulting in a draw, neither side being able to claim the least advantage.
At three o’clock, Rice started the leather for Killarney, and for some time the visitors’ 25 was the scene of operations. J.P. O Sullivan soon relieved Killorglin by a fine run, but, being collared by Reardon, there was some scrimmaging in neutral territory. Curran claimed a free for Killorglin but the umpires, disagreeing, the referee decided that the ball should be scrimmaged.
Dan Murphy now passing to J.P. O Sullivan, he made a splendid attempt to get through but was collared by O Callaghan. The Killorglin forwards now showed up and the ball was dribbled over the Killarney line, but Smyth, picking up splendidly and punting, sent the ball far into touch in neutral ground.
Halftime was then called and after a few minutes interval, J.P. O Sullivan kicked off for Killorglin, sending the ball to Reardon, who, by a good run, brought it into neutral ground. McKay made a good attempt to get through but was well collared by J.P. O Sullivan. The ball was now kicked into touch within a few yards of the Killarney goal-line and, in the rush, the ball was driven into touch-in-goal.
After the kick-out, the Killarney forwards worked up well and brought play to within the Killorglin 25 and Smyth kicked into touch within a yard of the Killorglin goal-line. C. Mitchel, getting possession, passed to Muldoon, who made a good attempt at getting through but was well collared by O Callaghan. Donoghue now claimed a free for Killarney, which the referee disallowed, and the ball was scrimmaged.
The play was now transferred to the Killarney 25, and here there was a good deal of scrimmaging. McKay attempted to get away a couple of times but being always well collared by the Killorglin backs. Time was shortly after called, neither side having claimed the advantage. The game during the whole time was a hot one, each side straining every nerve for victory. In the forward play, both teams were evenly matched, for although the Killorglin men were much heavier than their opponents, the superior packing of the Killarney men told a great deal in their favour.
For Killorglin the best forwards were Pat Teahan, Jim Sullivan and Eddie O Sullivan, while for Killarney John Langford, Kelliher, Courtney and Rice distinguished themselves. Muldoon, J.P. O Sullivan and J. L. O Sullivan, as halves, played a splendid game, J.P. especially making fine runs and collaring splendidly.
For Killarney, Smyth was by far the best man, playing in his usual fine style and never letting a man pass him. O Callaghan and Reardon played a very good game as halves, while McKay, a quarter, could hardly be excelled.
Killorglin: Fullback – Patsy Sheehan. Halfbacks – J. P. O Sullivan (capt.), J.L. O Sullivan, P. Muldoon. Quarters – Dan P. Murphy, Maurice O Sullivan. Forwards – P. O Sullivan, Eddie O Sullivan, Jim O Sullivan, C. Mitchel, Pat Hurley, Paddy O Regan, Pat Teahan, R.W. Dodd, Jeremiah Hayes.
Killarney: Fullback – T. Smyth. Halfbacks – F. O Callaghan, J.D. O Donoghue, W. Reardon. Quarters – J. McKay, J.H. Moriarty. Forwards – R. Rice (capt.), John Langford, J. Courtney, D. Kelliher, M. McSweeney, Dan Guerin, D. Casey, J. Martin, P. O Reilly.
