| 1873-05-19 | T&F | UCC | View | 13 | 20 | This was the first inter-collegiate athletics meeting held in Ireland. Trinity College Dublin was invited to compete but did not participate because Trinity College were hosting the inaugural Irish Champion Athletic Club Championships in College Park at the beginning of July. "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]. An estimated 2,500 spectators watched the meeting. Of the thirteen events on the programme, Cork won ten and Belfast three. The arrangements were very good and the sports passed off in the most satisfactory manner. |