Around 54,000 Gaels participated in the games, which were organised by each of the County Boards and, on the instruction of GAA’s Central Council, were scheduled to commence at the same time: 3pm.

In Dublin there were approximately 30 fixtures organised in 22 different venues for which no permit was sought. Games were played at the Phoenix park, as well as at Ringsend, and at various venues along the coast stretching from Baldoyle to Sandymount to Bray.

In Cork, 40 fixtures were organised, though heavy rain meant that many of them were abandoned.

At Duke’s Grove, Armagh, about 1,000 spectators turned out to witness a previously banned match between Emmetts Club and Hopes in the Mid-Armagh League, which ended in a draw. Cashel Brass Band was on hand to accompany the crowd from the city to the ground and back again.

Large crowds attended many of yesterday’s fixture and there are no reports of police interference.

In early July, the government placed restrictions on meetings and public gatherings without a permit. However, in a statement to the House of Commons in Westminster, the Chief Secretary Edward Shortt stated that it had not been intended ‘to interfere with ordinary meetings, games and sports’ and that such interference as had occurred had been unfortunate cases where police had misunderstood instructions.

According to Mr Shortt, the prohibition was intended to apply only to meetings of a political character, however the circular appears in some cases not to have reached the police.

Image | Shamrock Hurling Club, Waterford | National Library of Ireland POOLEWP 2703Source | Century Ireland