The Scotsman - Monday, 11th February 1889, page 4

3rd L R V v Celtic – At Hampden Park in good weather, and, before a crowd of 17,000 spectators, these teams finally decided the destination of the Scottish Cup, victory resting with the Volunteers by three goals to nothing (sic). The match all through was most stubbornly contested, but the superior combination of the Third told, and to this their success may on large measure be attributed. The 3rd lodged a protest against the finding of the Association at their last meeting, and also on account of the state of the ground, but having won the match these objections fell to the ground,. The gate and stand money amounted to £900. The teams turned out to the minute, both being received with enthusiasm by their supporters, The Third won the toss, and played with the wind and sun at their backs. Play soon raged fast and furious, and an early visit was paid by the Third to their opponents’ quarters. The ball was sent past, and Tom Maley, aided by his brilliant speed, made for the Third’s goal. Thomson defended superbly, but another goal run by Maley enabled M’Callum to send the ball through, but, as the referee’s whistle had previously blown, the point was of no value. After this narrow escape, the Volunteers replied, with telling effect, Marshall, after a clever run, all but capturing Kelly’s charge. A corner fell to the Volunteers, but Groves fixed on the ball and ran it the whole length of the field amid the greatest enthusiasm. Tom Maley received the ball from the Celtic crack, but missed a remarkable easy chance. It was now the turn of the Volunteers, grand combination in front carrying the ball past all opposition, but Kelly proved a successful custodian, repelling all attacks. Thomson, however, missed with the goal at his mercy. The game was proceeding on fast and open lines, and was thoroughly enjoyable from a spectator’s point of view. Groves, and then M’Callum, might with luck have scored but they invariably met with a stubborn defence from Auld and Thomson. A foul at the Celts’ goal caused their supporters much uneasiness and amid a scene of indescribable excitement the ball was sent through, the Third thus scoring twenty-five minutes from the start. This roused the Celtic to renewed efforts, Groves and Maley initiating a beautiful run, but M’Callum’s shooting was at fault. The Third had an open goal at their mercy, and how the Celt’s escaped was a mystery. The Volunteers still kept up the pressure, the “green and white stripes” not having settled down to their usual play. The latter defence was thus severely tested. At half-time the Third led one goal to nothing. The game was soon restarted. The Celts kept their adversaries busy. The combination seemed more effective than in the first period, with the result that Downie’s abilities were much tried. Hannah, after some clever work, sent in a stinging shot, which Kelly caught and threw out in a wonderful fashion. After this near share the Celts redoubled their efforts, and Groves gave M’Callum a grand opportunity, which he again failed to take advantage of. A foul against the Volunteers further assisted the Celtic, but M’Farlane and Auld were impassable. The Celts kept their opponents continually on the defensive for some time, and a rare shot from M’Laren all but took effect. The ball principally aided by T. Maley, was taken to the Volunteer goal, and M’Callum equalized amidst a scene which simply baffles description. This put new life into Celtic, the whole team playing as one man, M’Keown being cheered over and over again for his superb kicking. The Celts continued to hem their opponents within their territories and a continual bombardment was kept up to Downie. The Irish form, compared with the beginning of the game, was simply astounding. Try as they liked, however, they could not increase their score. The Third, on the other hand, by some excellent passing, carried the play in front of Kelly and Oswald sent the ball through amid wild excitement. This unexpected reverse seemed to chill the ardour of the Celtic players, and their prospects of success with time close at hand looked gloomy indeed. This proved correct, and when Mr Campbell blew his whistle the Volunteers had secured the Cup.

Celtic Team:-
Kelly John
Gallacher
McKeown
Maley W
Kelly Jas
McLaren
McCallum
Dunbar
Groves
Maley T
Menning

Scorers:-
McCallum