1891 - LAST HURRAH FOR CORNWALL
By winning their fourth pennant in five years the Colts proved that
they had the greatest lacrosse dynasty to date. The '91 title came in
a walk over. Nine straight wins, outscoring their opposition 38-14.
Alex Black and 'Red' Danaher both averaged more than a goal per game,
while Norm Carpenter backstopped another championship run. Only twice
was Cornwall even threatened with defeat. Ottawa Capitals battled them
hard in their debut, losing 3-2. A month later Willie McKenna's
hattrick gave the Colts a scare but they rallied to beat Shamrocks 5-4.
It was a season of change. Toronto and M.A.A.A. were out, while Ottawa
fielded two teams. Ottawa L.C. had a fine mix of youth and experience
but lacked the overall talent to challenge the best. 3 wins was all
they could manage. The young blood included defenders Frank
Bissonette(25 years old) and Midland's Tommy Crown(26). On offence
were the Carson brothers from Orangeville. Hugh(24) was in his second
year, while younger brother George was a noted speedster, having run
the 100 yard dash in 10 1/2 seconds. Bert Henry appeared as a junior
call up and scored in his debut. Henry would dominate Ontario lacrosse
in the next century. The veterans included Joe Kent and goal saver Jim
McConaghy. McConaghy would head west in '92 to make a name for
himself.
After a number of seasons in minor leagues Ottawa Capitals had joined
the majors. They boasted an impressive line up: 22 year old Ottawa
College football star James Murphy, teenager Harry Ketchum, who had
only picked up a lacrosse stick upon moving from Orangeville to Ottawa
the previous year, 25 year old Bramptonite Harry James, former Shamrock
24 year old Jimmy Devine and teenager Harry Carleton. All that
potential, however only two wins to accompany seven losses. Still time
was on the Capitals' side.
The saddest event of the summer occurred in an all Ottawa match on
August 29th. The father of Capital captain Egan died of a heart attack
during the contest. The 58 year old had been suffering from Bright's
Disease the past three years. The game was postponed with Capitals
leading 2-0.
To the west, Ontario's crown remained on the Niagara Peninsula. It
simply shifted from St.Catharines to Niagara Falls. The flipside to
such success was Brantford. The Telephone City representatives lost a
disputed game when the league ruled against them. The club was so
upset that they quit in mid season. Not only that, Brantford ceased to
have anything to do with the C.L.A. again in the 19th century.
Lacrosse had temporarily lost one of its major centres.
