Exactly 100 years ago today Linfield won the Irish Cup to clinch the 5th of the Magnificent 7 Trophies. To mark the centenary of this achievement Linfieldfc.com reproduces a programme article relating to this special game in our proud and illustrious history.
The article below was published by Roy McGivern in 'Look at Linfield' for a home game against Glenavon in September 2014.
The article was first published on this website in April 2016.
The Games that Made our History – by Roy McGivern
Linfield v Glenavon, Irish Cup Final, 22 March 1922
It was Linfield’s Gold Cup win against Glentoran in 1922 which clinched the club’s first seven trophy success but in this article we feature another memorable game from that historic season when Linfield faced Glenavon in the Irish Cup Final.
The Blues had already secured four of the seven trophies on offer ahead of the Irish Cup showdown. The Alhambra Cup, City Cup, County Antrim Shield and League Championship were all safely deposited in the Windsor Park trophy room as Linfield headed to the Oval for the final. It was a time of considerable civil unrest in the country following the Government of Ireland Act in 1920 and the establishment of the separate Northern Ireland state in 1921. In the week leading up to the final, there was much speculation that the game could be cancelled or the venue changed due to difficulties facing spectators travelling across the city from South and West Belfast and from Mid Ulster.
In the end the game went ahead at the Oval with only 5,000 fans in attendance producing a gate of £375. Tram services on the Newtownards and Mountpottinger Roads were suspended for the afternoon but that didn’t deter thousands of Bluemen from descending on East Belfast on foot. As the teams took to the field Linfield fans had to look twice to recognise their heroes who were kitted out in unfamiliar black and yellow striped jerseys. This was due to a clash of colours with the Lurgan side who wore their usual blue jerseys.
It was not surprising that Linfield went into the game as strong favourites. They had only suffered one defeat in the domestic season and had 13 Irish Cup successes under their belts compared to none for the Lurgan Blues. It was not to be plain sailing, however, as Boyd put Glenavon ahead in the first half. Linfield soon came storming back though and goals from centre forward Bill Savage and inside right Dick McCracken put the Blues ahead. That McCracken goal past Glenavon goalkeeper Morrow proved to be the winning one and Linfiedl were celebrating a 14th Irish Cup triumph and their fifth trophy success of the season.
The undoubted stars of the show for Linfield were captain Bobby Wallace and Dick McCracken. The Belfast Telegraph report from the game commented:
“The half-back line was ably led by Wallace who put in a massive amount of work, indeed he practically won the cup on his own bat. McCracken too played very hard and was really the only dangerous forward on show. It was only fitting that he should have the distinction of scoring the winning goal.”
The News Letter marked Linfield’s victory as follows: “The Irish Cup went to Windsor Park, as anticipated, and the Linfield club are to be congratulated on their success. They won by taking advantage of their chances more than anything else. To him that hath shall be given and their array of trophies is ever growing. They will soon have a show that will outshine Gibson’s or Sharman D. Neill’s windows. Of all the many trophies they have acquired this season they will take more pride in the Irish Cup than any other.”
Those old Belfast silversmiths may have long departed the scene but Linfield’s quest for trophy success remains undiminished. That Irish Cup success of 1922 was followed by many more but we salute that famous 1921/22 side and their magnificent achievements.
For the record the Linfield team which won the Irish Cup on 22 March 1922 was: Harland, Gaw, Frame, Wallace, Morgan, McIlveen, Cowan, McCracken, Savage, McIlreavey, Scott.
