Match Report Manchester Courier, Monday, 9 April 1888

The seventh international match between representatives of the Rose and Shamrock was decided on Saturday on the grounds of the Ulster Football Club, at Ballynafeigh, Belfast. The weather was very fine, the ground was in capital condition, and upwards of 7,000 spectators witnessed the contest. England, having won the toss, elected to play with the wind, and punctually at half-past three M'Vicker started the leather. A pass to Peden was stopped by Holmes, and that player sent the leather well down to Dewhurst and Hodgetts. The pressure, however, was relieved by the Irish backs. Gaussen then made a splendid run down the visitors' territory, but the advantage was only momentary, for Walters tackled, and a splendid run to within 20 yards of the Irish goal was followed by a corner, but nothing resulted. Two minutes later Dewhurst and Hodgetts getting well on, thirty yards from Lawther, the former scored the first goal for England. Scarcely had the ball been set in motion than Allen, of the Aston Villa, scored. Afterwards Gaussen had a splendid dribble down the field, and out of a scrummage in front of Roberts Crone shot the first goal for Ireland. A nice lot of play followed, in which the English forwards were conspicuous, and six minutes before half time Allen, of Aston Villa, added goal No. 3 to England's score. Twice afterwards Lawther had to throw out, and the whistle sounded a few moments later with the score—England, three goals; Ireland, one goal. Lindley restarted play, and the leather travelled within ten yards of Lawther, and for the next four minutes it was kept dangerously near the Irish citadel, each wing having a corner. Both, however, proved ineffectual, and Gaussen and Stanfield getting away Roberts had to fist out. Again and again the forwards charged to the opposite end of the field, and Allen, of Aston Villa, from a corner, registered a fourth goal for the representatives of the Rose. A siege front of the English goal followed, but it was of short duration, for after Roberts had fisted out once, Hodgetts got on, and passing to Lindley, that player notched a fifth goal for his side. From this point to the finish Ireland had the best of play, hands and off side being repeatedly given against the visitors by the referee, and worse still, several ugly fouls were credited to the Englishmen, but the game throughout was characterised by the best of good humour on both sides, and applause was very impartially bestowed. Coming near the end each team alternately pressed very hard but nothing further resulted, and when time was called the game stood—England, five goals; Ireland, one goal.
    

       Match Report The Times, Monday, 9 April 1888

Many thousand spectators were present on the Belfast ground on Saturday to witness the seventh match between England and Ireland under Association rules. On each of the previous occasions success attended England, and Saturday's contest did not furnish an exception. The afternoon was favourable and the turf in excellent order. England won the toss, and at first elected to play with the wind in their favour. J. W. Vickers started the ball for the home team. The visitors soon acted on the aggressive, and, within ten minutes of the kick-off, Dewhurst obtained a goal for them. Quickly afterwards Allen also sent the ball between the posts. Ireland now played up in a very determined manner, and Crone scored a goal for them; but prior to half-time a third was kicked for England by Allen...
Allen kicked a fourth goal and Lindley a fifth for the visitors...