Match Summary

England Team

The Irishmen sustained a crushing reverse at Roker-park, Sunderland, on Saturday. Completely overmatched from the start, they had to admit defeat from England by 13 goals to two. So thoroughly did the English team hold the upper hand that it was not until their own score held at 11 that Ireland gained their first point. The ground was a trifle soft and muddy, but was sufficiently firm to afford a fair foothold. The 12,000 spectators who were present were thoroughly rewarded for their attendance, as, though the match was so terribly one-sided, they had the pleasure of witnessing an exceptionally brilliant exposition of the game by the English forwards. The play might well be described as one long series of attacks on the Irish goal, only broken at rare intervals by breaks-away on the part of the Irish forwards, who scarcely ever were really dangerous...

Thanks largely to the skilfulness of Lewis, their goal-keeper, the Irish defence held up for the first quarter of an hour, but afterwards, it broke down entirely. In about 12 minutes four goals were obtained, and a fifth came soon afterwards...

...Then McAllen kicked a penalty goal, and shortly before time Campbell, the best of their forwards, taking advantage of an easy opening, scored their second point...

Of a brilliant front rank G. O. Smith, in the centre, stood out prominently, once more emphasizing the fact that in this position he has no superior in England. His judgment in passing to his wings, whom he kept together admirably, was splendid, while his shooting was hard, low, and frequent. Settle scored three times, Bloomer and Frank Forman twice each, and Athersmith and Fred Forman once each...

It should be stated that Ireland were not quite fully represented, three changes having been made in their side. - The Times - Monday 20th February, 1899

Source Notes

Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats
Original Newspaper Reports
TheFA.com
Rothman's Yearbooks
FA Yearbooks 1950-60
Ancestry.com
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CG