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In
Irish rugby circles the name of George Stack is not well known but he was in
fact one of the main founders of the national side and its first captain.
He
was born in 1850, the third son and one of seven children born to George Hall
Stack snr. and Mary (nee Orpen). His mother was one of 11 children of Sir
Richard John Theodore Orpen, one of her brothers was the Rev. Raymond D'Audemar
Orpen, Archdeacon of Ardfert, and Rector of Tralee, who went on to become the
Bishop of Limerick. His father was a barrister, J.P. and a wealthy landowner who
was the eldest son of Rev Thomas Lindsay Stack. They lived at Mullaghmore House,
Omagh,
County
Tyrone
.
Above
Mullaghmore House, Omagh,
County
Tyrone
. It would later become the birthplace of the politician, Sir John Gorman and
Jurassic
Park
lead actor Sam Neill. It is now a Restoration Centre selling antiques as well
as providing accommodation and hosting weddings. See http://www.mullaghmorehouse.com
George
Stack was elected a Scholar of the House in Classics at
Dublin
University
in 1870; gaining his B.A. in 1873 and an M.A. in 1875.
Above
the entrance to
Dublin
University
(more commonly known today as
Trinity
College
)
Above
the rugby ground at
Dublin
University
.
In
the early 1870s in
Ireland
the two leading rugby clubs were
Dublin
University
and North based in
Belfast
. In 1873-74
Dublin
University
tried to arrange a match between an Irish side and
England
but the RFU insisted that
Ireland
had established its own governing body before a match was arranged.
Above
the
Dublin
University
team of 1874-75. Back Row (L-R): H.D. Walsh, W. Beatty, B.N. Casement, H.L.
Cox, E. Galbraith, J. Myles, R. Galbraith. Middle Row: A.M. Archer, W.B. Smyth.
Front Row: W.H. Wilson, G.H. Stack, H. Malet. On Ground: H.L Robinson, A.P.
Cronyn, D. Neill.
Following
the annual general meeting of Dublin University Rugby Club in October 1874, it
was decided to call a meeting of the ‘principal clubs’ with a view to
forming an executive. It was hoped that a match against
England
could then be arranged. The clubs met at 1.30pm on 7th December 1874
in the rooms of George Stack at No. 27 Trinity College. The executive was formed
the following week on 10th December at John Lawrence’s rooms at
38-39 Grafton Street
, George Stack as captain of Trinity chaired the meeting. It was agreed that a
working committee of five would arrange the match against
England
. They were George Stack, M. Barlow, Edgar Galbraith, Richard Galbraith and
Arthur P. Cronyn. It was also decided to call the administrative body the Irish
Football Union.
In
the
county
of
Ulster
there was an outcry that
Dublin
had taken it upon themselves to set up a ruling body without consulting
Belfast
so they established their own on 13th January 1875 at the Linen Hall
Hotel,
Belfast
called the Northern Football Union of Ireland.
There
was a lot of jostling for favour with the RFU. The IFU persuaded the Lord
Lieutenant of
Ireland
, the Duke of Abercorn, to become their President. On 22nd January at
a meeting of the IFU a letter was read out from A.G. Guillemard, honorary
secretary of the Rugby Union, which confirmed that the match against
England
would be played at Kennington Oval on Monday, 15th February 1875.
George Stack proposed that:
In order to guarantee that
the Northern clubs’ interests would be duly regarded in the selection of the
international twenty, that the Irish Union shall nominate seven men to play on
the twenty, and the Northern Union a like number and that each Union would then
submit the names of ten further players each from which the remaining six
players would be chosen.
The
Northern Union
accepted with the slight amendment that each union would select eleven players
from which the remaining six players would be chosen. The
Northern Union
enclosed the names of their selected seven, but Stack, would not allow the
names to be read out at the meeting of the IFU on 3rd February until
after the IFU had chosen their seven.
On
5th February 1875 The Belfast News announced the Irish squad.
The
remaining six places on the team were selected by a sub-committee of six, three
from each union which included Stack.
Stack
was an obvious choice as the first captain of
Ireland
as he was already captain of Trinity and one of the leading figures in setting
up the match. He had also contributed financially to the cause.
The
first ever international played by
Ireland
was against
England
and took place on 15th February 1875 at The Oval,
London
. On the day H.L. Robinson and “Darky” Smyth the two best backs from
Dublin
University
were absentees. They were never selected again. The Irishmen wore green and
white hooped jerseys, white knickerbockers and green and white hooped stockings.
A
crowd of 3,000 saw the match at the Oval. The match was played on a Monday
afternoon, heavy rain during the previous weekend having turned the pitch, which
measured 130 yards by 75, into a quagmire.
The
Irish side was selected from the Northern and Southern Irish Unions and
consequently, many of the players had never seen one another before.
Above
the Irish side that played
England
on 15th February 1875. Back Row (L-R): E. Galbraith, W. Ashe, R. Galbraith, J.
Myles, B.N. Casement, W. Gaffikin, M. Barlow, H.L. Cox, W.S. Ash, G. Andrews.
Front Row: E.N. McIlwaine, H.D. Walsh, A.P. Cronyn, R.M. Maginness, G. Stack,
J.A. McDonald, R.D. Walkington, F.T. Hewson, A. Combe, R.J. Bell.
England
won the match by 1 goal, 1 drop
goal and a try to nil. A report of the match was in the
Dublin
newspaper, Freeman's
Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser on 16th February 1875 and said
(this report is produced as printed and includes name errors in the teams)
THE
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MATCH
(by Freeman Special Wire)
London
, Monday.
This afternoon the first
match that has ever taken place between the chosen representatives of England
and Ireland at what may fairly be termed the winter game of the two countries
took place in London, at Kensington Oval. Great interest had been excited in the
contest from the fact that Irish football and its merits were practically
unknown in
England
. Every preparation had been made to give the Irishmen a hearty welcome on the
occasion of this their first introduction to English players. The weather
certainly could hardly have borne a more smiling aspect, with a clear sky and
bright sun overhead, but the ground was in a bad state, owing to heavy rains of
the previous week, and running, about was almost impossible, as was anything
like good dropping. The Irishmen won the toss chose the kick-off, the English
Twenty commencing with the sun in their faces. Despite a fine kick-off the ball
was speedily brought to the Irish goal line, and Collins all but got in for
England
. The Irish back then tried to get out, but he was well collared, and the ball
being shortly afterwards well thrown out from touch, the Irish had to touch
down. Collins, for England then got the ball well out of the scrimmage, and
rushing in front of the posts, Ireland’s goal was threatened, but Cronyn
charged it down, and the danger was over. Ireland then removed the ball away for
a truce, but Turner, coming hard through the Irishmen, compelled again to have
recourse to a touch them down in self-defence. Soon after this Nash had a good
chance of a drop at the Irish goal; but he waited, and a good run by one of the
Irish backs, the English forwards forced their way again on to the opposite goal
line. After some hard play by the Irishmen in the lose scrimmages, Mitchell,
after a short run, got a try for England, but as it was almost on the touch line
the place by Frazer failed. Another run by Mitchell was followed by one by Nash,
the latter being only collared when almost between the posts. This was the last
incident before half-time, the end of three-quarters of an hour showing only a
try for
England
. Soon after the kick-off Collins, with a left-footed drop, almost received a
goal for
England
, and then the Irish had to touch-down four times in succession, the last with
the ball close to their posts. Two excellent runs by Cronyn then for a brief
period relieved the Irish lines, but the ball was again returned, and Nash,
after a neat run, dropped a clean goal for
England
. Some hard play by the Irish forwards, followed by a good run by
Bell
, formed for a time the principal incidents. A bad piece of play by one of the
Irish backs’ then enabled Cheston to charge the ball down, and ultimately to
get in between the Irish posts, Pearson placing from this the second goal for
England. With the exception of two more touch-downs by Ireland, and an
unsuccessful place by Stokes from a fair catch by Walker nothing more was
scored, so that England won easily by two goals, one try, and several
touch-downs to nothing. At the last moment the English Twenty had to be changed,
owing to the loss of three northern forwards Hon S Parker, C W Carver, and E
Kewley – and O S Morse, one of the half-backs; while Ireland had some reason
for disappointment in the absence of Smyth and Robinson, of Dublin University,
even though their places were competently filled by such substitutes as Cox and
Myles, from the same club. For the Irish, Cronyn was the most conspicuous for
his good running. The twenties were :-
ENGLAND
Hon H A Lawrence (captain),
Richmond; A W Pearson, Guy’s Hospital; L Stokes, Blackheath (backs); W H
Milton, Marlborough Nomads (three-quarter back); W E Collins, St George’s
Hospital; A T Mitchell, Oxford University; S Morse, Marlborough Nomads
(half-backs); C W Crosse, Oxford University, F Adams, Richmond; T Batson,
Blackheath; E Kewley, Liverpool; E S Perrott, Old Cheltonians; M H Marshall,
Blackheath; Hon E C Cheston, Richmond; R Walker, Manchester; C Carver,
Liverpool; D P Turner, Richmond.
IRELAND
J Allen, Wanderers; G
Andrews UI; W Ash, UI; M Barlow, Wanderers; R D Bell, UI; B Casement, DU; A
Coombe, UI; A B Cronyn, DU; W Gavacen, Windsor; E Galbraith, DU; R. Galbraith,
DU; F.T. Hewson, Wanderers; J. McDonald, MC; E M genis, UI; R Mafenes, DU; G H
Stack, DU; R Wilkington, UI; H D Walsh, DU; J Myles, DU.
 Above the English side that played
Ireland
on 15th February 1875. Back Row (L-R): C.W.
Crosse, E.H. Nash, A.T. Michell, E.C. Fraser, H.J. Graham, W.H.H. Hutchinson,
E.S. Perrott, R. Walker, L.Stokes, A.W. Pearson, T. Batson, W.H. Milton. Front
Row: J.E.H. Mackinlay, F. Luscombe, F.R. Adams, Hon. H.A. Lawrence (captain),
D.P. Turner, W.E. Collins, M.W. Marshall, E.C. Cheston.
After
the match the players were entertained and had dinner at St. James Hall,
Piccardilly.
After
the match the arguments between the two unions started about where the return
match should take place in
Ireland
, north or south.
Stack
never played for
Ireland
again. In fact in the first nine matches
Ireland
played, from 1875 to 1882, they had a different captain in each. The two unions
eventually amalgamated in 1880. At the time of the establishment of the Irish
Rugby Football Union, Ireland had played seven matches and lost them all and had
failed to register even one score. Now with one controlling body and the game
expanding at club level there were high hopes.
George
Stack jnr. was a classical teacher at the
Erasmus
Smith
School
, now more commonly known as the High School, on
Harcourt Street
,
Dublin
but resigned after being called to the Irish Bar.
Above
the The High School,
40 Harcourt Street
,
Dublin
, this was founded on 1st October 1870, by the Governors of The
Erasmus Smith Schools.
Above
Harcourt Street
and the Pleasure Grounds. The school has always welcomed pupils from many
religious persuasions and those of no religion. One of the more amusing
accounts of the religious breakdown at the school was given by William Wilkins,
Headmaster, in a letter to the Board in 1886, 209 Church of Ireland, 41
Presbyterians, 8 Plymouth Brethren, 5 Methodists, 3 ‘Separatists’, 3
Baptists, 3 Jews, 2 Roman Catholics, 2 Moravians and 1 Congregationalist.
George
Hall Stack jnr. died on 14th November 1876 at The Royal Arcade Hotel,
33 College Green,
Dublin
from an overdose of chlorol hydrate. An account of his death appeared in the
Dublin Newspaper, Freeman’s Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser two days
later and said
THE
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF MR. G. HALL STACK
Yesterday at half-past 11
o’clock Coroner N. White held an inquiry into the mysterious death of Mr.
George Hall Stack, whose demise, under unusual circumstances, we reported
yesterday. The investigation was held at the Royal Arcade Hotel, College-green.
The police were represented
by Inspectors Quinn and Greevy, And Acting-Inspector Fallon, B division,
The father of the deceased,
Mr. George Hall Stack, and the deceased’s uncle, Mr. R. N. M. Orpen solicitor,
Dublin
, were in attendance. The apartment in which the inquest was held, was crowded
with students from
Trinity
College
, who evinced a keen interest in the proceedings. A jury having been sworn,
The first witness examined
was Mr. Orpen, who deposed, in answer to the Coroner, that the deceased was his
nephew; he was a bachelor, and was 26 years of age; he was a member of the Bar,
having chambers at Trinity College; witness had not the slightest doubt that he
came to his death by misadventure; witness was aware that some time ago deceased
underwent a painful and unsuccessful operation.
Mr. Auguste Mouillat,
proprietor of the Royal Arcade Hotel, deposed that he knew the deceased who
occasionally stayed at the hotel; he came to the hotel on Saturday last and
remained until his death; when witnessheard of his having been found, he sent
for doctors, and Drs Tyrell and Stokes arrived, but deceased was then dead.
Thomas McDonnell, a waiter
at the hotel, was then examined. He deposed that on Saturday he showed the
deceased his room, No. 16, where his body now lies; he stayed that night and
dined; on Sunday he left to go to his own house in Eccles Street, but returned
soon afterwards, saying he could not get in; he remained in
bed all day on Sunday, and in the evening he desired witness, when he was
giving him his tea, to come again for a note; at a quarter past eight he gave
witness a note to Messrs. Hamilton and Long, Grafton Street and he brought back
the bottle now produced.
James Hunter, an employee
in the Arcade Hotel gave evidence to the effect that yesterday morning he went
to the room of the deceased to see if he required anything; it was between six
and seven o’clock, and he appeared to be asleep; on going to his room between
nine and ten o’clock witness found him insensible; and then gave alarm.
Mr. W. T. Kyle, who had
lived with the deceased in Trinity College, deposed that he knew he was in the
habit of taking opium for the purpose of relieving indigestion; witness often
remonstrated with him upon the matter, but deceased had said he suffered very
much, and that he (witness) had no idea of the pain he suffered.
The Coroner remarked that
Dr. Egan was present to make a post-mortem examination if the jury desired it.
Decease’s relatives did not wish it, but the matter was altogether for the
jury to deal with.
Mr. Stack (deceased’s
father) – I testify that he wrote to his sister within the past fortnight
respecting his Christmas vacation. He spoke then of the approaching happiness
they would have..
A gentlemen present
observed that within a week he had received a letter from the deceased
respecting their taking rooms together.
Charles H. Hartt, 107
Grafton Street, deposed that he was manager of Messrs. Hamilton and Long’s,
Grafton Street; deceased was in the habit of taking sedatives, and had an
account with witness; he sent the order (produced) on Monday night, and the
bottle (produced) was sent to him; the bottle labelled chloral (hydrate) was
purchased, witness had no doubt, at his establishment.
The Coroner remarked that
he thought the jury would have no hesitation in saying that all the legal
requirements had been complied with by Messrs’ Hamilton and Long.
Several jurors assented.
The Coroner remarked that his relatives saw no cause to assign for his taking
poison except by misadventure. He was in the habit of taking doses of opiates,
and if he did on the occasion in question take a dose, his friend believed it
was purely by misadventure that he met his death. However, Dr. Egan would give
some evidence which would be important.
Dr, Egan said that from
what he had heard of the case he thought it possible that deceased, who he
understood had given up opiates, renewed the habit that night, and took as large
a dose as he had previously taken without sustaining any injury, but, having for
some time ceased to use opiates, he was affected more by what he had taken than
had he not for a time relinquished the habit. Four grains was the smallest fatal
dose on record; but if the deceased had taken all that was in the smaller bottle
he would have swallowed 24 grains.
The Coroner briefly
reviewed the evidence, and the jury, without hesitation, found that the deceased
had come to his death through misadventure.
email: patrick.casey@cliftonrfchistory.co.uk
http://sites.google.com/site/caseybooks/
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The
Rugby History Society