All Outdoor Track and Field Championships meets
| Date | Host | Venue | Results | Races | Athletes | Note |
|---|
| 2013-04-12 to 2013-04-13 | UCC | Mardyke & Bishopstown | View | 72 | 330 | Mardyke Track officially renamed to Sonia O'Sullivan track on Saturday |
| 2012-04-20 to 2012-04-21 | AIT | Athlone Institute of Technology | View | 74 | 314 | |
| 2011-04-29 to 2011-04-30 | QUB | Antrim Forum | View | 73 | 291 | |
| 2010-04-23 to 2010-04-24 | TCD | Santry | View | 70 | 325 | |
| 2009-04-24 to 2009-04-25 | UL | Plassey | View | 62 | 273 | |
| 2008-04-18 to 2008-04-19 | UCD | Irishtown Stadium & Belfield | View | 63 | 244 | |
| 2007-04-13 to 2007-04-14 | DCU | Santry | View | 67 | 282 | |
| 2006-04-21 to 2006-04-22 | UU | Antrim Forum | View | 63 | 220 | |
| 2005-04-22 to 2005-04-23 | DIT | Irishtown Stadium & Belfield | View | 64 | 260 | |
| 2004-04-16 to 2004-04-17 | UCC | Mardyke & Bishopstown | View | 67 | 282 | |
| 2003-04-25 to 2003-04-26 | NUIG | Dangan & Tullamore Track | View | 73 | 281 | |
| 2002-04-19 to 2002-04-20 | CIT | Bishopstown | View | 67 | 280 | |
| 2001-04-20 to 2001-04-21 | TCD | Santry & Belfield | View | 62 | 236 | iv2001 |
| 2000-04-14 to 2000-04-15 | UL | Plassey | View | 63 | 291 | Millennium Track & Field Championships |
| 1999-04-23 to 1999-04-24 | QUB | Mary Peters | View | 73 | 256 | The Pre-Millenium Games |
| 1998-04-24 to 1998-04-25 | UCD | Belfield | View | 56 | 215 | |
| 1997-04-25 to 1997-04-26 | DCU | Santry | View | 43 | 116 | |
| 1996-04-19 to 1996-04-20 | UU | Antrim Forum | View | 62 | 216 | |
| 1995-04-21 to 1995-04-22 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 41 | 81 | |
| 1994-04-22 to 1994-04-23 | UCG | Dangan | View | 48 | 192 | |
| 1993-04-23 to 1993-04-24 | Cork RTC | Cork RTC | View | 40 | 73 | |
| 1992-04-24 to 1992-04-25 | UCD | Belfield | View | 39 | 150 | |
| 1991-05-03 to 1991-05-04 | UL | Plassey | View | 38 | 78 | |
| 1990-04-27 to 1990-04-28 | UCD | Belfield | View | 38 | 82 | |
| 1989-05-05 to 1989-05-06 | QUB | Mary Peters | View | 61 | 178 | |
| 1988-04-29 to 1988-04-30 | NIHED | Santry | View | 37 | 165 | |
| 1987-05-08 to 1987-05-09 | QUB | Antrim Forum | View | 30 | 59 | |
| 1986-05-02 to 1986-05-03 | TCD | Santry & College Park | View | 35 | 71 | |
| 1985-05-03 to 1985-05-04 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 36 | 136 | Eric no dates |
| 1984-05-04 to 1984-05-05 | UCD | Belfield | View | 35 | 91 | |
| 1983-05-06 to 1983-05-07 | QUB | Mary Peters | View | 55 | 156 | |
| 1982-04-30 to 1982-05-01 | TCD | Santry & College Park | View | 34 | 69 | |
| 1981-05-01 to 1981-05-02 | TCE | Plassey | View | 35 | 67 | |
| 1980-05-02 to 1980-05-03 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 35 | 120 | |
| 1979-05-04 to 1979-05-05 | UCD | Belfield | View | 34 | 119 | |
| 1978-05-05 to 1978-05-06 | QUB | Mary Peters | View | 34 | 112 | |
| 1977-05-06 to 1977-05-07 | TCD | Santry & College Park | View | 49 | 135 | |
| 1976-04-30 to 1976-05-01 | TCE | Plassey | View | 36 | 122 | |
| 1975-05-02 to 1975-05-03 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 39 | 115 | |
| 1974-05-03 to 1974-05-04 | UCD | Belfield | View | 35 | 147 | |
| 1973-05-11 to 1973-05-12 | QUB | Shaw's Bridge | View | 31 | 93 | |
| 1972-05-05 to 1972-05-06 | TCD | Santry & College Park | View | 33 | 100 | |
| 1971-05-07 to 1971-05-08 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 30 | 52 | |
| 1970-05-09 | UCD | Belfield | View | 43 | 117 | This was the first IUAA championships at which all track distances were metric. |
| 1969-05-03 | QUB | Malone Road | View | 28 | 90 | |
| 1968-05-11 | TCD | College Park | View | 27 | 94 | |
| 1967-05-05 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 20 | 69 | |
| 1966-05-07 | UCD | Belfield | View | 26 | 40 | QUB refused permission by NIAAA to compete in the inaugural women's T&F championships because UCD were affiliated to NACAI |
| 1965-05-08 | UCG | Galway Sportsground, Galway | View | 15 | 35 | |
| 1964-05-09 | TCD | College Park | View | 13 | 28 | |
| 1963-05-11 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 13 | 27 | |
| 1962-05-17 | UCG | Pearse Stadium, Galway | View | 13 | 32 | This was TCD's first return to Intervarsities T&F since 1937. Scores: TCD 82, UCC 80, UCG 56, UCD 43 |
| 1961-05-06 | UCD | Belfield | View | 12 | 28 | |
| 1960-05-14 | UCD | Belfield | View | 12 | 20 | |
| 1959-05-13 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 12 | 24 | |
| 1958-07-28 | UCD | Belfield | View | 12 | 19 | Held on a Monday |
| 1957-05-18 | UCD | Belfield | View | 12 | 28 | |
| 1956-05-16 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 12 | 26 | |
| 1955-05-19 | UCG | Galway Sportsground, Galway | View | 12 | 25 | |
| 1954-05-22 | UCD | Belfield | View | 12 | 30 | |
| 1953-07-15 | UCD | Belfield | View | 12 | 19 | |
| 1952-05-22 | UCG | Galway | View | 13 | 31 | |
| 1951-05-26 | UCD | Belfield | View | 11 | 26 | TCD competed despite being banned from competing against NACAI athletes |
| 1950-05-17 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 11 | 24 | |
| 1949-05-26 | UCG | UCG Grounds, Galway | View | 10 | 23 | |
| 1948-05-22 | UCD | Belfield | View | 10 | 22 | |
| 1947-05-21 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 10 | 20 | |
| 1946-07-14 | UCG | Galway | View | 12 | 22 | Number of events increased to 12. The 4x440 yards relay included for the first time. |
| 1939-05-27 | UCD | Belfield | View | 10 | 33 | While it must be borne in mind that neither QUB nor TCD were competing, UCD gained the most emphatic win ever by any College in the Intervarsities between 1914 - 1939, being denied a maximum of 30 pts by UCG in the Discus by 9 ft 2 in [2.79 m]. |
| 1938-05-26 | UCG | Galway | View | 16 | 22 | In early 1938, in a effort to maintain inter-university athletic links, U.C.D. Athletic Club wrote to U.C.G. Athletic Club, the university club which was due to host the 1938 Intervarsity Championships, requesting them to call a meeting consisting of Queen's University of Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin and University College Galway to consider the motion: "That the Irish Universities Athletic Championships (The Intervarsity Meeting) be held purely under the rules and sponsorship of the Irish Universities Athletic Council, irrespective of the athletic associations to which the participating members belong." On St. Patrick's Day 1938, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and University College Galway met and letters of approval for the motion were received from Queen's University of Belfast and University College Cork. Informal approaches were suggested and made to both the N.A.C.A.I. and the A.A.U.E. regarding this decision of the universities, i.e., that the Intervarsities Championships be considered a 'closed' meeting under the Irish Universities Athletic Council. While the N.A.C.A.I. agreed that the Intervarsities Championships were purely a matter for the universities, the A.A.U.E. took the contrary view, thus bringing the athletics 'split' into university athletics as well as national athletics. Thus, T.C.D., having affiliated to the A.A.U.E. in October 1937 could no longer compete in the Irish Intervarsities Track and Field Championships which continued to be held under the auspices of the N.A.C.A.I. |
| 1937-05-22 | TCD | College Park | View | 14 | 21 | The last Intervarsities that TCD participated in until 1962 in Galway, because the split in Irish Athletics. |
| 1936-05-30 | UCD | Belfield | View | 16 | 35 | The first Intervarsities to be held at the new sports ground of University College Dublin at Belfield, Stillorgan Road, Dublin. |
| 1935-05-25 | TCD | College Park | View | 10 | 21 | UCC did not compete in these championships due to disagreement on participation and representation. UCG did not compete either. Largest attendance at athletics in College Park for many years. U.C.D.'s reign of 11 years as Intervarsity Champions ended. |
| 1934-05-26 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 16 | 39 | Despite having won more events than UCD, UCC lost out to UCD on a count back of 3rd placings, the rationale being that the 1st and 2nd placings had already been scored. Applying current countback rules in team competitions, UCC would have been declared the winners on basis of number of events won. Had UCD and UCC been equal on number of events won, UCD would have won on the number of 2nd placings and so on if equal on number of 2nd placings. |
| 1933-05-27 | UCD | Terenure | View | 16 | 43 | This was to be the last Intervarsity Championships that QUB would contest until 1967. The 1933 championships were the first intervarsities to be affected by the North/South split in the administration of athletics in Ireland, a schism based essentially on political rather than athletic grounds. The N.A.C.A.I. maintained that it was the internationally recognised athletic body affiliated to the International Amateur Athletic Federation for the governance of athletics on an All-Ireland basis. The A.A.A. had formally set up a Northern Ireland branch on 3 September 1930 and regarded itself as the internationally recognised athletics body for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. On the 11 March 1933 the Central Council of the N.A.C.A.I. passed the following motion: "That all those who have competed or officiated at any sports meeting in Ireland not held under its auspices are suspended from membership of the N.A.C.A." On June 10 at a meeting of the Ulster Council of the N.A.C.A.I., delegates from the Antrim County Board raised the matter of the participation of Queen's University in the Intervarsity Competition at the University College grounds in Dublin. The Athletic Club of QUB had affiliated to the Northern Ireland branch of the A.A.A. After discussion a motion was passed demanding an explanation from the Central Council of the N.A.C.A.I. as to how Queen's University had been given permission to compete in the Intervarsity Sports Meeting. Furthermore, the motion demanded that, if permission had not been granted, all athletes who had competed against QUB be suspended and that, if permission had been granted, those responsible for granting same be suspended. The promoters of the intervarsity meeting contended that because the competition was a school or college sports event and in its nature an annual social gathering of athletic undergraduates of the Universities, it had not been necessary to take any action against QUB in light of its membership of the Northern Association. Furthermore, representatives of the N.A.C.A.I. had been present at the Terenure Park grounds on the morning of the meeting and, when the position of the organisers had been fully explained to them, they had waived the "irrevocable decision" which the organisers had come to, thereby allowing the intervarsities to take place in a non-confrontational manner. Thus, while no suspensions were imposed on the athletes, organisers or officials, the Central Council of the N.A.C.A.I. at its meeting on Saturday 17th June 1933 passed the following resolution to clarify its position vis à vis intervarsity athletics: "That Queen's University, or any Athletic Club attached thereto, be not allowed to take part in any competition, tournament or match under the auspices of the N.A. and C.A. so long as they remain affiliated to an illegal body [N.I.A.A.A.], and that all Universities and University Colleges be notified of this intention. Further that no University or Athletic Club attached to a University in Ireland be allowed to compete against Queen's University so long as they remain affiliated to an illegal body". |
| 1932-05-28 | QUB | Cherryvale | View | 10 | 22 | |
| 1931-05-30 | TCD | College Park | View | 16 | 39 | |
| 1930-06-07 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 12 | 36 | Starter was J.J. Buckley and Chief Judge R.J. Rowlette |
| 1929-06-01 | UCD | Terenure | View | 14 | 41 | The meeting attracted a large number of spectators. The weather in the morning was bad, but conditions improved during the afternoon. Despite the unfavourable conditions underfoot and overhead, the championships were highly successful with four new records and one equal record in the 10 events. The participation in the colours of UCC of Dr Pat O'Callaghan, Gold Medalist in the hammer throw at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, added great aura to these championships. O'Callaghan (Shot Putt and Discus), P.C. Moore (440 yards and half-mile) and J.B. Eustace (100 yards and 220 yards) each took well-served doubles. The championships were attended by Mr James O'Neill, 2nd Governor-General of the Irish Free State (1 February 1928 - 1 November 1932). Mrs. O'Neill presented the prizes. The Inter-'varsity function attracted over 500 attendees to the Metropole Ballroom for an evening of "revelry and dancing". The music was provided by the Rogers-May Band. |
| 1928-06-02 | QUB | Cherryvale | View | 16 | 40 | The Inter-University Championships took place in brilliant sunshine. There was a large attendance. The track was described as very uneven. The home team, like UCC, failed to gain a single point. Accordingly, the "infectious enthusiasm" normally associated with the Inter-University Championships was far less noticeable. In his farewell 'varsity contest, Sean Lavin won the 440 yards for the 6th year in succession and the 220 yards for the 4th successive time. He won three events and placed 2nd in two at 1928 championships, thereby contributing 8 pts of UCD's total score of 20 pts, a record for the championships to that date. The band of the H.M.S. Caroline, the drill ship of the Ulster Division of the R.N.V.R. played selections of music during the afternoon. U.C.D. achieved their 6th successive championship title, their 8th victory since the series recommenced in 1912. |
| 1927-06-04 | TCD | College Park | View | 16 | 38 | The Irish Inter-University Championships were scheduled for Belfast in 1927. However, in April 1927 they were switched from Belfast to Dublin to be hosted by Trinity in College Park for reasons which are not clarified in reports of the change of venue. Nonetheless, Queen's hosted their annual Londonderry Trophy Relay Match at Cherryvale, Belfast on 30 May 1927, with competing teams from Trinity College, Queen's University, Ulsterville Harriers, North Belfast Harriers, Dublin Metropolitan Garda, and Civic Guards. To these Inter-University Championships, UCC and QUB sent what were described as 'only skeleton teams'. Some of the events only had the permitted two entries from TCD and UCD. The contest in College Park was witnessed by a large crowd 'of which ladies formed a by no means inconsiderable portion'. There were several sharp showers during the afternoon, but they did not interfere with the sport. |
| 1926-06-05 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 16 | 28 | Fine weather favoured the Intervarsity Championships. The No. 2 Army band entertained the spectators during interludes in the competition. The arrangements were all that could be desired. A fairly large crowd attended. The starter was Mr D. Power. |
| 1925-06-06 | UCD | Terenure | View | 14 | 41 | |
| 1924-05-31 | TCD | College Park | View | 16 | 46 | The championships took place on a lovely afternoon with a large attendance. The ground conditions were very good. The field arrangements were well-nigh perfect and reflected great credit on Dublin University Athletic Club. The Irish Times stated that, while there were record performances, 'on the whole the form (of athletes) could not have impressed those representatives of the Irish Olympic Council who were present'. The lack of extraordinary performance was compensated for by the keenness with which the events were contested. Ed Goggins (UCC) achieved his fourth victory in the high jump in five years (he did not compete in 1923). Harry Conway's hat-trick for UCD in the 100 yards, 120 yards hurdles and long jump was the most meritorious performance. The band of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, under the baton of Hon. Inspector A.J. Norris, added to the afternoon's entertainment. This was the first year in which 'J.P. O'Sullivan' Challenge Cup was competed for. It was presented by the relatives of the late James Patrick 'J.P.' O'Sullivan of Killorgan, Co. Kerry, the 1891 Irish All-Round champion [9 events: high jump, slinging 56 lb weight, 100 yards, long jump, shot putt 16 lb, 120 yards hurdles, hammer throw, 440 yards and 1 mile, all on the same day; points were awarded as 1st - 5 pts, 2nd - 3 pts, and 3rd - 1 pts in each event. O'Sullivan, with 31 pts, placed 1st in 4 events, 2nd in 3 events and 3rd in 2 events, while T.M. Donovan of Cork, who placed 2nd overall on 30 pts, had the same number of 1st and 2nd placings, but only 1 placing as 3rd, failing to score in the Shot Putt]. Major-General William R.E. Murphy distributed the medals and presented the 'J.P. O'Sullivan Cup' to U.C.D. Murphy was the first Irish and the last Chief Commissioner of Dublin Metropolitan Police before its merger with the Garda Siochána in 1925, of which he became the Deputy Commissioner, a post he held until his retirement in 1955. The teams were entertained to a dinner and dance given by the Trinity Club. |
| 1923-06-02 | QUB | Cherryvale | View | 16 | 33 | U.C.C. did not compete in these championships. Ground and weather conditions were described as perfect. The band of Royal Ulster Constabulary 'discoursed a choice musical programme'. Several track records were disallowed, when measurement of the 220 yards and 440 yards courses after the championships revealed that they were 10 yards and 8 yards short, respectively. The track referee was Surgeon-General Robin Hall MB, RNVR. The judges included Dr Robert J. Rowlette FTCD, Captain A.G.de L. Willis (Achilles A.C.), Denis J. Cussen (TCD athlete who was injured and unable to compete in these championships) and M.F. O'Hanlon (UCD coach). |
| 1922-06-10 | UCC | Cork | View | 12 | 35 | The competition was essentially confined to three Colleges as Queen's sent only one competitor (R.B. Wilson in 100 yards) owing to a clash with examinations. There was a fair attendance and the weather was good. In the published results of these championships, U.C.D. is referred to as "National University". The track was 'five laps to the mile, circular, and with practically no finishing straight'. |
| 1921-06-04 | UCD | Terenure | View | 14 | 39 | The 1921 Championships were to have been held in Cork, hosted by U.C.C. However UCC was unable to host the event due to the prevailing conditions in Cork. The peak of violence during the Irish War of Independence occurred from December 1920 through July 1921, including the Crossbarry Ambush involving the Cork brigade of IRA volunteers on 19 March 1921, 20 km south west of Cork City, the burning of the income tax offices at South Mall and South Terrace in Cork and of the Togher RIC barracks in Cork city on 5 April 1921, and the shootings of several Royal Irish Constabulary members in Cork during this period. University College Dublin stepped into the breach at short notice. The championships took place in 'glorious weather' with 'a record attendance at the beautiful grounds at Terenure Park'. Due to various causes QUB and UCC were not as well represented as they might have been. The championships were described as an 'athletic, financial and social' success. The meeting 'was excellent in every respect, and the arrangements reflected the greatest credit on all concerned with its management'. The outstanding athletic performances were the wins of Denis J. Cussen in the 100 yds and 220 yds, equaling the 'varsity records in both events, and in the long jump, improving the 'varsity record from 6.68 m to 6.96 m. It is noteworthy that Denis J. Cussen won the same three titles at the IAAA championships at Lansdowne Road on 16 May 1921.The medals were presented by Professor Denis J. Coffey, first President of UCD (1908 - 1940). |
| 1920-06-05 | TCD | College Park | View | 16 | 41 | The first intervarsity athletic meeting held after the Great War 1914-1918. This took place on the concluding day of Trinity Week 1920. There was a large and fashionable attendance. The weather conditions were described as 'splendid'. The contest was an unusually close one, the winning College being in doubt up to the conclusion of the last race, the 440 yards, prior to which University College Dublin was leading Trinity College by just two points. The fact that the fixture followed so closely on the College Races militated against the Trinity athletes, many of whom failed to reproduce their best form. Only three athletes from UCC competed. The medals were presented by Lady Powerscourt. The University College Dublin trainer was Mr M.F. O'Hanlon. |
| 1914-06-06 | QUB | Ulster Cricket Club Grounds | View | 16 | 42 | For the third year in a row University College Galway did not send a team to the inter-university championships, despite the fact that the College had held its own sports day on 14 May, 1914 in College Park, Galway. In addition to the Varsity Championships, there were four events confined to Belfast schoolboys - 100 yards, high jump, 440 yards and long jump. Very good performances were witnessed by an attendance which was described as 'of very meagre proportions', with a couple of hundred ladies and as many men in the enclosure. Although the meeting concluded over an hour behind schedule, it was successfully and professionally conducted. During their stay in Belfast the visiting teams were the guests of Queen's University and were entertained to dinner after the contest. The following day they were motored to Newcastle and Rostrevor on Carlingford Lough for a day's relaxation. Trinity College Dublin won the Intervarsity Championship and the Ladies Cup for the first time, with four wins and 6 second places. |
| 1913-05-24 | UCD | Ballsbridge | View | 17 | 44 | The Irish Independent and the Irish Times both recorded in their pre-championship reviews of the upcoming 1913 Inter-'Varsity Sports that the three constituent Colleges of the National University of Ireland were to compete against Dublin University and Queen's University of Belfast. However, UCG did not show. The spirit to revive and augment these inter-university championships came at a time of increasing strife between the bodies administering Irish athletics, which the students of the universities wished to circumvent by holding championships under the auspices of their Athletic Unions. The situation was summarised in the Irish Times [26 May, 1913, pg. 3]: "During recent years the lack of interest in Irish athletics has been very strongly marked. In fact, athletics in Ireland were never in such a backward condition as at present, a state of affairs for which the deplorable 'split' between the I.A.A.A. and the G.A.A. is solely responsible. Both organisations have suffered through the short-sighted policy which has been for years adopted by each........ Under these circumstances it must be said that the inception of the Inter-University Sports came at a most opportune time at what may, with accuracy, be described as a most critical point in Irish athletics. And let it be said at once that that notable gathering furnished a striking illustration of what can be achieved when everything else but the best interests of sport is placed in the background." An Editorial [Irish Times, 23 May 1913, pg 4], under the heading Student Intercourse, commented: "Barriers of class and locality will fall before the absorbing interest of sporting rivalry.... There is no reason why social intercourse of this kind should be confined to the sporting events.... We shall welcome any developments which lead to increased intercourse between students of our various Universities." [Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose]. The numbers of spectators were described as of 'eminently satisfactory proportions', the stand being well filled. Each of the participating Colleges was strongly represented. "If weather were specially ordered there could have been nothing more favourable than the first flicker of summer at Ballsbridge." During these championships the Irish National Orchestra provided an excellent programme of musical interludes. The arrangements for the athletics were described as "of a very perfect nature", reflecting the greatest credit on the organising committee. The starter was Mr James T. Magee [Irish British Lion to South Africa 1896], who brought off the meeting to time. The Ladies Cup for the winning team and the medals were presented by Mrs Coffey, wife of Dr Denis Coffey, President of University College Dublin [1910-1940]. |
| 1912-06-03 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 10 | 24 | The championships were to be held on Saturday 1 June 1912 but had to be postponed until the following Monday due to thunderstorms and torrential rain that lasted for several hours, causing severe flooding of the athletic track and grounds. The contest took place on the then recently acquired football grounds of University College Cork on the Mardyke. The Cork Constitution wrote of the venue - "It is well equipped for athletics as the sod is excellent, the situation perfect and every facility is at hand for the competitors." Trinity College Dublin, Queen's University of Belfast, University College Dublin and University College Cork competed. No reason was given in reports of this meeting for the absence of University College Galway. The QUB team was weakened by the absence of their ace sprinter S. McComb (I.A.A.A. Champion at 100 y in 1912). There were only eight events, with no throws or hurdles. Three athletes competed for Trinity College in each of the 100y and 440y. The reasons for this are unknown. While the weather was bright with an early start and the weather prospects seemed hopeful, this changed rapidly with a downpour after 1.00 pm. The remainder of the meeting was conducted under what were described as depressingly wet conditions until the close of the sports. With these prevailing conditions there were no performances of exceptional merit. The Ladies' Challenge Cup, presented to the University College Dublin Athletic Union by the ladies of the College, was won by UCD, as the team gaining the largest number of points. The whereabout of this Challenge Cup today is unknown. In conjunction with these University sports, School Championships were held over 100y and 880y, as well as Senior (3/5th mile) and Junior Schools relays. The Band of the Yorkshire Light Infantry provided musical strains, making best use of the covered stand. The Cork Co. Board of the GAA accused UCC of subsidising "anti-national games" and of engaging a military band when "there were civilian bands in Cork at least quite as good". |
| 1874-05-16 | QUB | Belfast | View | 13 | 7 | |
| 1873-05-19 | UCC | Mardyke | View | 14 | 22 | This was the first inter-collegiate athletics meeting held in Ireland. A proposition to hold an Inter-University Sports between Queen's University, Ireland and the University of Dublin, Trinity College was first mooted in May 1872 with the intent to hold the meeting in Dublin in July 1872. It is not known what became of this original proposition. The subsequent proposal of Queen's University to hold the intervarsity event in May 1973 was considered at the annual general meeting of Dublin University Athletic Club on 14 March, 1873. "The proposal of Queen's University to form an 'Inter-University Contest' was negatived, it being considered that the Champion Athletic Club would open the field for all University competition." Thus, Trinity College Dublin did not compete in the inaugural intervarsity championships in Cork, but instead hosted the inaugural Irish Champion Athletic Club Championships in College Park at the beginning of July. Nonetheless, the Queen's University inter-collegiate contest in Cork was very successful. "Considerable interest was excited by the events, owing to the fact that the competition was confined to representatives of the Galway, Belfast and Cork Colleges, and a certain amount of rivalry existed between North and South. The contests were characterised by the utmost harmony and friendly emulation, and the weather being fine, one of the largest and most fashionable gatherings ever brought together assembled in the field." [The Irish Times and Daily Advertiser, May 20, 1873, pg 3]. Cork competed in scarlet and black, Galway in blue and white and Belfast in red, blue and gold. An estimated 2,500 spectators watched the meeting. "The fête was altogether one of the most brilliant and successful of the year. The weather was beautifully fine, the arrangements of the stewards excellent and the satisfaction of the visitors complete. The Cork College had a larger number of representatives in for the several events than her western and northern sisters. The Corkonians were greatly elated at their success but freely accorded due applause to the plucky representatives of their sister colleges." [Freeman's Journal, May 20, 1873, pg.3]. Of the thirteen events on the programme, Cork won ten and Belfast three. The Patron of the meeting was His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer KG, PC. The principal Vice-Patrons included: the Marquis of Kildare, Charles William FitzGerald, 4th Duke of Leinster, Chancellor of the Queen's University; the Earl of Antrim, William Randal McDonnell, 6th Earl; Lord Lurgan, Charles Brownlow, 2nd Baron Lurgan KP; and Sir John Arnott, three times Lord Mayor of Cork (1859-1861) and Irish entrepreneur (Arnott's drapery store). The bands of the 17th Lancers and 15th Regiments provided musical interludes for the spectators. |