Irish sport in 1923: FAI joins FIFA and delayed deciders

The passing of one year and the birth of another is generally a good time for reflection and resolution.

And given human nature's love for a good round number, 100 is a nice figure to lean on to cast an eye back in time.

2023 holds plenty of promise for Irish teams and sportspeople, not least Andy Farrell's Ireland at the Rugby World Cup and Vera Pauw's tigers who hope to be roaring in Australia next summer at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

That maiden major tournament appearance for an Irish women's senior side will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Football Association of Ireland joining FIFA.

It was August 1923 that the sport's governing body accepted the application from what was then known as the FAIFS (Football Association of the Irish Free State) which itself had been founded two years previously.

While the FAI was getting itself established internationally, domestic competition had been ongoing that year with the second FAI Cup final on St Patrick's Day 1923.

That saw a Dalymount Park attendance of almost 15,000 witness Belfast-based - specifically the Falls District League - and FAI but not IFA-affiliated Alton United stun Shelbourne 1-0.

Shels would also end up runners-up in the nascent League of Ireland which saw its second season run from September 1922 all the way to the following March.

Just like 2022, Shamrock Rovers would end up champions, albeit 1922-23 was the first of what has become, as of the year just gone, 20 league triumphs. The goals of the prolific Ringsend native and - briefly - future Irish international Bob Fullam would prove instrumental.

Aside from the Hoops and Shels, Bohemians and Athlone Town are the only other clubs from that 12-team campaign who are still operating in either the Premier