1888 - TURMOIL IN THE EAST
This was not one of the N.L.U.'s better years. First, M.A.A.A. dropped
out of the league. Next the July 7th Shamrock at Cornwall game had to
be cancelled because no referee showed up. O'Fraser, from Brockville,
should have been there but a strained foot prevented him. Pollack, a
Cornwall referee, was available but unacceptable to the irish. 2,000
spectators were given their money back.
The last and most serious blow to the troubled season came a week
later. Another Shamrock game was postponed, against Ottawa. On this
occasion the irish didn't even make the trip. Earlier in the week they
had informed Ottawa that they would not play if J.Clewes and Tommy
Crown dressed. Both were accused of being professionals. They had
played for Toronto Ontarios the previous summer. At season end the
team had given each of their players a medal, valued at $15. Crown and
Clewes took cash instead. The former to pay a doctor's bill, the
latter to buy his own medal. As far as Shamrocks were concerned that
made them professionals. The league did not agree but it took most of
the summer to decide the dispute.
A trimmed down C.L.A. Senior League completed its schedule with only
one hiccup. Toronto Ontarios decided they did not wish to travel to
Woodstock for their final match. Thus they defaulted it. It would
have been their final game ever as the Ontarios became the first of
many Toronto teams to pass on.
On a brighter note, Paris Brants romped to the title with a 9-1 record.
Led by the goal scoring of George Tait they were proved themselves to
be the best in the league. The Brants capped the year with an
exhibition win over Shamrocks. A 3-1 shocker in Paris which stunned
the lacrosse world. A tiny village club defeat the Montreal Shamrocks!
It really wasn't the N.L.U.'s year. The irish avenged that September
15th loss a week later at home. In front of 4,000 fans the Montrealers
defeated Paris three straight. After the contest Shamrocks proposed
that they and Cornwall play two games to decide the N.L.U.championship.
It was the best way to save the year. Neither Ottawa or Brockville
could protest because they'd combined for a 1-6 record in league play.
Montreal and Cornwall were clearly the top two.
The series took place in early October, plagued by cold and wet
weather. The Colts won at the Shamrock Grounds in 37 minutes. The
next Saturday they won three straight at home. The irish did not
hesitate to concede that Cornwall had the best team.
