1904 - THE MIGHTY SHAMROCKS
It was an chaotic year for Ottawa. They were kicked out of the league
in late June for playing Charlie Pringle, a professional. In the end
the N.L.U. backed down. They finally admitted that they could not
prevent the encroachment of professionalism. After all, every team in
the league was paying players in one form or another. With the ruling
the floodgates opened for N.L.U. and C.L.A. clubs. The sport was
booming and there was money for everyone.
Albert Dade and Tack Hendry made their return to Montreal on the
Dominion Day weekend. Their Brantford squad was after the Minto Cup.
The C.L.A. champs were without two stars from the previous year. Bert
Henry and Pat Murphy. Henry had moved on to Tecumsehs. Having won
championships five consecutive years with Shamrocks, Orangeville and
Brantford he would put that streak on the line in Toronto. Murphy had
returned to Ottawa. Brantford did not sit idlely by as their talent
slipped away. John Powers came over from Ottawa, plus John White
joined the club after his short stay in Port Hope. This was a team
determined to earn national honours. However they were matched against
the greatest lacrosse team ever.
Montreal Shamrocks of 1904 were awesome. They won every contest they
played and averaged an unheard of 11 goals per game. The Brantford
offence was also strong, however they were no equal to the irish. That
was proven during the Minto Cup Final. The green shirts won twice, by
scores of 8-5 and 9-4. Jack Brennan scored three in both games. For
the losers, Hendry was held pointless.
How good were Shamrocks? The three goal win over Brantford was the
closest game they played all year. After the Minto Cup series they got
better and better. 16-3 over Cornwall on July 16th as Jim Hogan scored
five and Paddy Brennan four. On August 6th they crushed the Winged
Wheels 14-4. Four more for Hogan, while Paddy added a hattrick.
September 17th saw them top Nationals 11-6. Five more for Hogan, with
deuces to Joe Hennessy and Jack Brennan. To top everything, a week
later they humbled their arch rivals. A shocking 12-0 victory over
Ottawa. Four for Hogan, three for both Brennans and a pair to Harry
Hoobin. The year concluded with another five goal triumph over the
frenchmen. This time 6-1 as Hennessy and Paddy B. both counted a
brace.
Capitals were bridemaids again. Had they won that September 24th game
they could have made a late charge on the league leaders. Wishful
thinking. Pat Murphy finished second to Hogan in the scoring race.
Bones Allen and Shiner Eastwood both came over from Cornwall to
contribute significantly. With such a talent loss Colts season was a
disaster, only one win. But what a sweet win it was. On July 1st they
upset Ottawa 5-3. Two goals from John Broderick made the difference.
The Triple A's also managed only one victory, 4-1 over Nationals. The
frenchmen were more respectable at 3-5. The fact remains, the entire
league had been humbled by the mighty Shamrocks.
Fergus returned to Senior lacrosse in the C.L.A. but it was an
unsuccessful half season effort. The appearance of Harry 'Sport'
Murton was the most noteworthy thing about the Thistles. He scored
twice during the 1-5 campaign. Fergus' one victory came over
St.Catharines, a 7-2 surprise. It was also an off year for the
Athletics. Only 5 wins in 14 tries, a major disappointment. Toronto
Chippewas were the circuit's other new club. They place a respectable
third with a 6-8 record. They upset Brantford on the August Civic
holiday 4-3. Archie Adamson scored two and Mickey Connor had 1 and 1
in the win. Five days later the defending champs blasted them 11-0 as
Albert Dade scored a record 8 goals.
Toronto Tecumsehs were back! After several miserable years they had a
contender again. Toronto Lacrosse Club was to thank for this
developement. The Torontos not only dropped out of the N.L.U. they
dropped right out of senior by joining the Queen City League. Charles
Querrie had not left his hometown of Markham to end up an Intermediate
side. Consequently he moved to the Tecumsehs. A huge turn of events
as Querrie would soon be the largest figure in Toronto sports. In a
few short years he would be managing the indians as well and eventually
their owner. He would also accomplish much in the winter, like winning
two Stanley Cups with Toronto St.Pats. The first as manager, the
second as owner. Then he would sell the club to Conn Smythe, who
renamed the team Maple Leafs.
Tecumsehs other additions included Bert Henry and George Donaldson.
Thus they had plenty of pep when they hit the field in late May. Two
early wins were followed by an 1-1 draw with the pennantholders. John
White scored for Brantford and Jim Murray answered for the indians.
The pair next met in late August. Toronto was in first but that
changed dramatically. On the 20th Brantford hammered Tecumsehs 9-2.
Dade led the way with 4 goals. One week later the champs won again, a
3-2 nailbiter. John Powers notched the decider. It was an ugly
contest which flew out of control in the third quarter. A Toronto mob
led by Querrie and his teamate Hugh Lambe attacked the referee.
Fortunately the official survived the incident unharmed. Both Querrie
and Lambe were fined $20. Now the championship was level and would
remain so until the season finale. Bert Henry hoped to win another
pennant. He scored once in the match, as did defender Lambe.
Brantford kept pace with goals from White and Bob Degan. Powers set up
one and he also assisted on the winner. Dade broke the tie. The
Telephone City crew had won again.
