Matches: 1888 1889 1890 | 1887-1900 | Forum

Celtic Games 1889 - Cowlairs

Trivia

• Glasgow North Eastern Cup tie.
• Played at Barrowfield Park.
• Before 8,000 spectators.

Review

The Scotsman - Monday, 13th May 1889, page 5

Glasgow North-eastern Football Association Final Cup Tie – This final was played off in Barrowfield Park, Glasgow, the Celtic and Cowlairs being the contestants. The game was witnessed by a large crowd and ended in a victory for the Celtic by six goals to one. The Cowlairs were never in it from start to finish and the Celtic had the game in band from the beginning. Neither team played up to their reputation, but the weather being very warm proved rather trying to the players. The money taken at the gate amounted to £l60.

Teams

Celtic:-
McLauchlan, Dowling, McKeown, W Maley, Kelly, McLaren, Hugh Gallagher, Dowds, Groves, Coleman, Dunbar.

Goals:- Coleman (2), W Maley, Gallagher, Dowds, Groves.

Cowlairs:-
Carphin, McCartney, McLeod, Masterton, Sinclair, McPherson, Bishop, McInnes, McPherson, Carson

Goal:- McPherson.

Att:- 8,000.

Article

• Match Report
• Official Site

Pictures

• Match Pictures

From newspaper reports from the time.

The final tie for the North-Eastern cup was played on Barrowfield Park, in presence of about 8,000 spectators. The competing teams were the Celtic, who reached the final by defeating the Rutherglen and the Nothern. The Cowlairs (the holders), defeated the Thistle and the Shettleston.
The Celtic kicked off. For a time play was evenly distributed, short, quick passing being the rule on both sides. After about five minutes the Celts got away on the right, the ball having been taken diagonally across the field. Gallagher sent in a slanting shot, which came very near scoring. The Irishmen were then forced back for a time, but by a good bit of combined work they succeeded in once more changing the scene of operations; and, they gave the Cowlairs some anxiety. The latter defended well, however, and eventually were able to get clear.
Fully a quarter of an hour elapsed before the first goal was scored, which was secured by the Celts after a scrimmage in front of the posts. A few minutes later a second goal was out on by Coleman.
Following this the Cowlairs played up well, and looked very like scoring from a free kick near the goal, but McCartney sent it clear through.
The Celts then wrought their way up, and had the advantage of a free kick, and Dowds spoiled rather a good chance, sending the ball high over the bar. The Irishmen continues to press, however, and before two minutes elapsed Maley added a third point.
The Cowlairs did not allow their spirits to go down, but played up vigorously, giving quite as much as they received, and at last their perseverance met with success, a splendid shot by McPherson from midfield striking the inside of the post and going through. They were, however, unable to further improve their position, and half-time found the Celtic in the ascendancy by three to one.
The second half commenced with an attack on the Celtic goal. Some back and forward play followed, the ball passing repeatedly from end to end. A fine shot by Carson narrowly missed scoring. A few minutes’ later matters again looked promising for the Cowlairs, when Carson ran the ball right into the goalkeeper’s hands; but once more the Celtic got defensive for some time.
The Celts were again the first to score, which they did after 25 minutes’ of play, a beautiful bit of passing among the forwards in front of goal ending in a shot by Dowds, which resulted in a fourth goal. During the rest of the game the Celts had considerably the upper hand, and added two goal to their score.
The Cowlairs, on the other hand, were unable to make any alteration, and the game ended – Celtic, 6 goals; Cowlairs, 1 goal.