A PLAQUE has been unveiled at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin to commemorate the first-ever athletics international match, which took place 137 years ago.
Lansdowne Road was the location of an Ireland vs England dual meeting on Monday, June 5 1876 - three years after the first Irish Championships took place and four years before the foundation of the AAA of England. According to contemporary reports, the response of the public was generally low-key, which was put down to the concept of athletics as a team game being difficult to accept.
Other press reports reveal that it was an exceptional day in terms of the weather, and it was a bank holiday, which "caused most people to avail themselves of other opportunities of pleasure seeking!"
Highlight of the meeting was a "best time on record" for the 880 yards of 1:59.2 by England's Walter Slade. Slade also went on to win the mile in 4:35.6 as England took the competition by winning nine events to Ireland's four.
Three of Ireland's victories were notched by the legendary Davin brothers. Pat was a late call-up for the High Jump, and at only 19 years and one day, he tied with brother Tom in winning the event with a clearance of 5'8".
Another brother Maurice (right), who was to become co-founder of the GAA, won the Shot Putt (40'2") and the Hammer (131'6").
Ireland's other victory came from J Douglas Ogilby in the 100 yards with a 10.4 seconds timing.
Ireland's first-ever female Olympian Maeve Kyle, who competed at three Olympic Games, unveiled the commemorative plaque.
The event was organised by the Hibernian Athletics Historical Association (HAHA), the occasion also included a photographic display of athletics events staged in Lansdowne Road from 1876 until 1957.