Fivemiletown Football: Mulhern Cup 1941


 Mulhern Cup 1941

As far as I know it is also known as the District Cup but I stand to be corrected and welcome any information available.  

 The earliest mention of the District Cup I found this year involving Fivemiletown was a game against Clogher Rangers being played in Fivemiletown
with Fivemiletown winning four goals to nil,
T. Breadon heading in the first goal, with the centre forward scoring three goals, completing his hat trick (No name was given)
The report said ‘Had it not been for the assistance of three military players and one Cliftonville player, the score would have been quite different.’
The Cliftonville player in question was ‘McKeown’ but I am unable to find out anything about him at present, not even his first name.

‘One of the most exciting games played in Fivemiletown this season’ according to a report in the Impartial reporter, was a game between Fivemiletown and an Army XI in the 2nd Round of the cup.
Fivemiletown: Scallon, McKeown, Dale, Cullinan, J. Breadon, Graham, T. Breadon, McNulty, Hackett, McMahon and White.
The Army scored inside the first five minutes by Sergeant Wiseman, Fivemiletown equalised with ‘A fast shot’ by White.
The Army scored again only for Fivemiletown to level again, that’s how it remained at the final whistle, 2-2 and it was decided to play an extra 20 minutes extra time, McKeown then scored two penalties leaving Fivemiletown as the winners 4-2

The Semi Finals
the first Semi-Final was The Waggoners (Enniskillen!) Vs Army XI.
The Waggoners, hot favourites for the cup, suffered a server set back when they were defeated by an Army XI, with the Army scoring two goals in the first half and another four in the second to win by six goals to nil.

The other Semi-Final was the Corinthians Vs Fivemiletown or as the paper put it the ‘Blues’ and the ‘Whites’, this game was held in Enniskillen in front of a large crowd who saw Fivemiletown come out on top by the only goal scored in the game. The Corinthians had a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty but unfortunately put it over the crossbar.

 

 

Mulhern Cup Final 1941
Broad Meadow, Enniskillen.

Fivemiletown 2 – 0 Army XI

The Impartial Report on June 5th, 1941 recorded the satisfaction felt about the Mulhern Cup success:

“Fivemiletown Football Club realised a cherished ambition on Friday evening when they won the Mulhern Cup, a distinction that had eluded them for a number of years. The duties of secretary of the Club for some years past have been ably carried out by Mr Thomas N Morrison, who has installed wonderful enthusiasm into the team and despite limitations in its size, this Clogher Valley town always has been able to field a team of worthy cup fighters. Fivemiletown’s opponents in the cup final on Friday evening were an Army XI, the match was played on the Broadmeadow, Enniskillen before a large attendance.

The Clogher Valley town fielded a strong side; captained Johnny Breadon and their opponents included many experienced players. The Army side, however, were unable to withstand the dash and determination of the Fivemiletown team who ran out winners by two goals to nil. The first half was scoreless, but midway through the second half, the large crowd of Fivemiletown supporters were able to give vent to their feelings when Tommy Breadon, brother of the Fivemiletown captain scored for the Clogher Valley team. About 10 minutes afterwards Fivemiletown’s outside right put the game beyond doubt when he scored the second goal to leave Fivemiletown winners by two goals to nil. More goals would undoubtedly have been scored but for the outstanding display by both goalkeepers. At the conclusion of the game, there were wild scenes of enthusiasm when the Fivemiletown players were carried shoulder high off the field.

Congratulatory speeches were made and Mr John Breadon expressed his pleasure at captaining the successful team.”

 

1940/41  |  Mulhern Cup Final 1941  |  1941/42