Hurling Match, Milton v. Dunedin.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 12, 20 March 1902, Page 15

Hurling Match, Milton v. Dunedin.

Hurling— one of Ireland's national games — was, it is said, first introdu';ed into the colony of Victoria in the early fifties, aad since then the game has gone un throughout Australia with unabated vigor. In New Zealand attempts h.ive been made from time to time to bring into prominence the fine old national pastime, but notwithstanding its Hiiccess for a few seasons, a want of enthusiasm caused it to fall into the shadp, and the game gradually fell away. To the credit of Dunedin be it said the old enthusiasm held on, but it was not uuLil last year that a number of sons from the Emerald Isle resolved they would place the game of hurling on a permanent footing and endeavor U foster a love for the old national sport that would not only be appreciated by Irishmen, but also by all young Colonials With that object in view the Dunedin Hurling Club was started, special rules were drawn up, constant practice was the order of the day, and now with a large membership the game of hurling has become an established institution Milton enthusiasts also deserve credit for the interest taken in helping to keep the game to the fore, and it is evident that with a little more assiduous practice the Dunedin men will have to look after their laurels, as the Tokomairiro men have the making of some first-cla?s players in their ranks. A match was arranged between Milton and Dunedin on Saturday last, and was played at Tahuna Park, in the presence of a goodly number of spectators, for a cup presented by the Dunedin H.A.C.B. Society. The following were the teams :—: — Milton.— F. Calvey (captain), C. WaLsh, Plever (3), R. Graham, J. Hand, P. Fox, Hyues (2), Powley (2), T. Lane, P. Coleman, and P. Nolan. Dunedin.— F. Clancy (captain), Cooper (2), Casey (2), D. Simpson, M. Powley, T. Crutchfield, W. Hanrahan, S. Marrett, D Didham, W. Clarke, C. Stalker, H. M'Dermott, and J. Weir. Referee, Mr. J. Laffey. Line umpires, Messrs D. Burke and M. Mulquin. The Dunedin team won the toss, and promptly decided to take advantage of the wind by playing from the Peninsula end. The Milton men got a rush on at the start, and took the play down to the Dunedin goal, but failed to sustain the attack. The local team showed a lot of combination, and being in better training, soon had the country team in trouble. In the first spell Simpson, for Dunedin, scored 1 point, and soon after a goal (<1 points). S. Marrett by a bit of good play added another point before the spell closed. The second spell brought the Milton team no better luck, and Simpson again scored, the game ending : Dunedin 7 points ; Milton, nil. The game was played in two spells of half an hour each, and the winners ascribe their victory to assiduous training. In the evening both teams assembled in Court's Hotel, when a pleasant social evening was spent. Mr. P. Walsh, of Milton, proposed the health of the Dunedin Hurling Club, coupled with the names of Mr. Laffey and Mr. M. Coughlan. In replying on behalf of his team, Mr. Clancy said that they had been practising for months past, and would have been agreeably disappointed had they not won the cup. They had had a tough game and a good game, and he was very proud that the Dunedin team had won. He thanked the Milton boys for coming down and playing the match, and he hoped that next year they would be able to win it back.