As was generally expected, the Englishmen proved successful in this their first international match of the season, played under Association rules, at Whalley Range, Manchester, on Saturday afternoon. Between 5,000 and 6,000 persons assembled to witness the contest. At times the play was very fast, and although defeated, it must be admitted that the visitors made a bold bid for victory. Successful in the toss, the English eleven elected to play with the wind during the initial period of the game. Gibb kicked off for Ireland, and it was not long ere the ball was returned, when the combined play of the English forwards placed the visitors' goal in great danger. Still, Henderson, for a time, proved equal to the occasion, and, after several unsuccessful attempts to score, the home eleven in turn had to retire. Alternately, each team was now in the ascendant, and just prior to half time Spilsbury dribbled the ball to Bambridge, who quickly sent it between the posts. Having thus weathered the first half so well, it was thought that change of ends would enable the Irishmen to show to greater advantage, but scarcely had play been resumed ere England again took the ball in close proximity to their rivals' fortress, and a free kick enabled Spilsbury to score. Next a corner was taken by Ireland, which resulted in Eames sending the ball through his own goal. The game having been restarted, Davidson and M'Wha relived their side by some neat dribbling, as did also Brown, to whom the ball was ultimately centred by Lofthouse, and a fourth goal resulted. A good shot from the foot of Cobbold followed, but the ball struck the crossbar, when Brown got possession, and tried to head it through. Henderson, however, saved his charge in fine style. This was the last incident of note, and thus, at the call of time, the Englishmen were declared the winners by four goals to none.
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Queen's Park beat Notts County, 2-1 at Derby in an F.A. Cup replay to reach the semi-finals for the second year in succession. They were to repeat their feat of the previous year, when they became the first and only Scottish club to reach the final, but once again, Blackburn Rovers were to deny them the ultimate prize.

It was on 27 February 1885 that the government achieved a narrow majority of 14 votes over the opposition's motion that their indecision and neglect of the war in Sudan had led directly to the loss of Khartoum and the death of General Gordon.
  

The annual encounter between England and Ireland, under Association rules, took place last Saturday, at Whalley Range, Manchester. The afternoon was fine, and between five and six thousand spectators visited the ground of the Manchester Club. Having lost the toss, Ireland kicked off with both wind and sun in their faces...
It continued so until close upon half-time, when Spilsbury dribbled the ball down the right side, and passed to Bambridge, who placed a goal to the credit of England...
after the kick out a determined attack was made on the Irish goal, which resulted in Spilsbury obtaining another point for England. The latter team then had a further corner kick, which Lofthouse again undertook. He placed the ball within a few yards of the posts, and Eames in endeavouring to clear his lines sent the ball under the Irish cross-bar...
Brown secured it from the kick out, and after some passing between himself and Lofthouse he scored a fourth goal for England... - The Times, Monday, 2 March 1885