Folklore in many ways can be fickle and cricket, in particular, is susceptible to the intrigues of time and memory. To many followers of the game in Ireland the date of July 2nd, 1969 is ingrained in the memory as one when the might of the West Indies was humbled at Sion Mills. Yet that great win was certainly not the first by an Irish XI over a touring Windies combination and it is perhaps somewhat sad that the exploits of the XI under James Ganly in June 1928 remain known only to the historian of the game. That too was a win for the hosts with few believing such a result possible with the Tourists lacking just two front line players, George Chanellor and Learie Constantine; but the West Indies were still a rather formidable force for this game.
William Hone in his book, Cricket in Ireland, describes the encounter as 'McVeagh's match'. His contribution was a knock of 102 not out in Ireland's first innings and four splendid catches in the second innings to include that of the wicket of Cliford Roach, a spectacular one-handed effort on the leg boundary and an important one as the Indies' opener was well on his way to a century plus total. McVeagh, like Ganly, was a multi-talented sportsman, representing Ireland in hockey, tennis and squash as well of course as cricket. Ganly himself was also a noted rugby international. Another notable personality on the Ireland XI that game was Captain Tom Jameson, who was a capable middle order right handed batsman, leg break and googly bowler. He was on the 1925/6 MCC team to the West Indies - the last encounter before Test status was granted to the West Indies.
The 1928 West Indies touring party
The Irish Times of Monday June 4th, 1928 bade fair welcome to the visiting West Indies team. The first representative match of the season was starting that day at College Park with the West Indies as opposition to the 'Gentlemen of Ireland'. There was one change on the Ireland team as originally selected by the ICU as TJ MacDonald of Queen's Belfast and North Down had to withdraw' due to examinations. His place being filled by E Seymour of Clontarf. The 'TIMES' noted that 'the weakness in the home side may be that we have no fast bowler in the country'. It was felt that this was a further disadvantage in facing the West Indies 'who are reputed to be faster than anything seen in the country for some time'!
The regular feature 'An Irishman's Diary' devoted several columns to the match. Under the heading 'Gentlemen of Ireland' mention was made of JB Ganly, who was captaining the Gentlemen that day. There was reflection on his abilities - 'in our specialist age it is still refreshing to find out that the old fashioned all-rounder still exists, and in Ireland's captain we find a concrete case. Indeed, Mr Ganly's position in Irish sport today recalls the achievements of Mr RA Lloyd almost 20 years ago. Like the old Portora schoolboy, he has played his part on the Irish XV for a number of seasons in the threequarter line, and this will be his third occasion on which he has lead our cricketers'.
Reference was made to the previous West Indies team in Ireland some five years earlier and of LN Constantine - 'one of the memories which cricketers retain of the match in the College Park (in 1923 was his (Constantine) fielding at cover point. It was a revelation. Mr Ganly - no stone-waller - was at the wickets a full hour for seven runs, but against average fielding would have made 50. Time and time again he drove hard through cover, but never with any success. Mr Constantine would pounce on the ball, like a cat, and save even the single'. With the weather expecting to be fine an excellent match was to be anticipated. However the apprehension that accompanied the tourists was readily evident and the 'TIMES' mirrored the belief that the tourists would continue on their winning ways as the reporter added that the 'Irish XI may be relied upon to put up a good show'.
The Gentlemen of Ireland comprised:
- L A Bookman (Leinster)
- T H Dixon (Dublin University)
- J B Ganly (Leinster) - captain
- J G Heaslip (Leinster)
- Capt T 0 Jameson (Phoenix)
- A P Kelly (Phoenix)
- James McDonald (North Down)
- E D Seymour (Clontarf)
- T G M'Veagh (Dublin University)
- A H Robinson (Pembroke)
- P A Thornton (Dublin University)
James Macdonald is not to be confused with Thomas J who had to withdraw because of exams; they were of course brothers with the latter subsequently going on to and playing with Cambridge University. As it was Constantine and Chanellor did not play for the tourists but Ireland was likewise not at full strength with the unavailability of EL Kidd and the aforementioned Macdonald. The first day's play was devoid of any outstanding features as Ireland made 173 runs in three hours. Ireland had made a disastrous start with opener LA Brockman out, bowled by Griffith with the second delivery of the day. 19 runs on the board and TJ Macdonald succumbed to Small who was partnering Griffith as opening bowler. Scott replace Griffith at the Pavilion end but with little success as the runs were accumulating gradually; Ganly, 43, and Jameson, 45no, were the main gatherers as the innings closed with Ireland on 173. The West Indies reply was rather hesitant and by close of play 6 wickets had fallen for 100 runs with Heaslip and Nixon taking a pair each and Jameson accounting for Small with a very smart return catch off his own bowling.
The Tourists were all out for the addition of a further 43 runs with Ireland's fielding proving remarkable. In the hour it took to secure the final 4 wickets Jameson's catch to remove Neblett 'was most noteworthy'; getting 'a hot return' off his own bowling Jameson 'took the ball just off the carpet' to secure the wicket.
With a lead of 31 runs Ireland continued with the hesitancy that the visitors had come to the crease with. The first six wickets fell for 92 runs and the hosts appeared to be floundering. Yet a seventh wicket stand between Heaslip and M'Veagh yielded 82 runs in 75 minutes before the former fell to Small on 44. M'Veagh and Thornton continued the onslaught and in 90 minutes added a further 103 runs before the Trinity man was out, having made a handsome 37. In three hours at the wicket M'Veagh was on 85no and the century was within reach as Ireland appeared in a commanding position.
The third and final day's play was one of fluctuation as both sides strove for victory. M'Veagh duly completed his century as Dixon resolutely held out to ensure the century came up on the board. He finally fell to Scott having made 19. The 35 minutes to complete the innings that morning meant that M'Veagh had spent just over three and a half hours in making the tO2no. Other than the odd shot through the slips in the early part of his innings there was little to fault in his batting. With over five hours of play the West Indies made great strides to reach the target of 352. Roach and G. Fernandes lead the charge and made 117 before M'Veagh brought off a glorious catch on the leg boundary off the bowling of Thornton, bringing about the dismissal of Roach. He fell 11 runs later but Bartlett accompanied Fernandes as the score climbed to 213 before the former succumbed to Seymour with M'Veagh taking the catch at third man.
With 139 runs to get in two hours and seven wickets on hand the tourists had the upper hand. But after tea the situation changed dramatically as four wickets, including Fernandes, fell in half an hour for a mere 14 runs. With no chance of winning the last three wickets defended stubbornly. With Griffith joinng Small in support of the last wicket there were still 40 minutes to play. Both played resolutely and defended well. Starting on what was the penuitimate over of the game - there were but four minutes of play left - with Dixon bowling to Griffith. The first ball of this over saw Griffith mishitting to cover where M'Veagh - who else - was waiting eagerly - and the catch was effected safely.
Thus after a most exciting and interesting game, the Gentlemen of Ireland had the satisfaction of beating the hitherto unbeaten tourists.