Kilkenny’s First Ever All Ireland Title Medal: G.A.A., Hurl...

Hammer

€7,200

Kilkenny’s First Ever All Ireland Title

Medal: G.A.A., Hurling (Kilkenny)1904, A 9ct gold Celtic cross design Medal, the obverse with central harp and ‘Eire’ across the center, and pierced with ‘Cumann na gCleas-Luth Gaedhealach’, the reverse inscribed ‘All Ireland’ Hurling championship 1904 - won by Tullaroan, Kilkenny’, hallmarked, made by Hopkins & Hopkins.  (1)  

In the 18th Series of the championship Kilkenny beat Cork to claim their first title after five attempts, they succeeded on a score line of 1-9 to 1-8.   The match took place on Maurice Davin’s land in Deerpark, Carrick-on-Suir in Co. Tipperary, on the 24th of June 1904.  The game delayed for a half an hour due to the Kilkenny trains been late and heavy showers, eventually got under way before
4000 spectators. At this time each county was represented by a club,  The Kilkenny team was made up of a selection mostly from Tullaroan, but also had players from Erin’s Own, Mooncoin and Three Castles, (captained by Jer Doheny) while St Finbarrs were Corks representatives. 
On this occasion Kilkenny won their first title, also stopping Cork this year from winning three in a row. They went on to win six further titles over the next ten years. The first golden era in
Kilkenny's hurling history.

A scarce memento from the early stages of the GAA. Rare. (1)