Whytes The Eclectic Collector 13 June 2015

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GAA Football. Virtual Championship of All
Ireland” 1895 and Leinster Championship 1895
gold medals.”
Plain circular plaque obverse surrounded by shamrock and floral
decoration , Virtual Championship of Ireland 1895” engraved
on reverse. 6.9 grams Medal presented to a member of Pierce
O’Mahony’s club from Navan for the 1895 All-Ireland Senior Football
Championship Final, played on 15 March 1896, the first final to
be played in Jones’ Road (later Croke Park) and also Meath’s first
appearance in a final. Tipperary Club Champions, Arravale Rovers,
won by 0-4 to 0-3 in controversial circumstances. Dublin referee, J. J.
Kenny afterwards admitted that he had a mistake in awarding a point
to Arravale and the result of the game was in fact a draw. The match
was over and the result declared but the referee wrote to the Central
Council and to national newspapers pointing out his error. Despite
this, Pierce O’Mahony’s announced they would not seek a replay
and were happy to have the result stand and an All Ireland “Virtual
Championship”winners medal was presented to the members of the
club who played that day. The match is commemorated by a plaque
on the Hogan Stand at Croke Park. Also with this medal is a Leinster
Football Championship 1895 hold and enamel medal. Extremely rare
pair.”
€5,000-€7,000