by John Mulligan S.M.

One of the most prominent players on Dundalk Young Irelands' teams during the 1880's was James Campbell. In 1883, he came to Dundalk to work in Carroll's tobacco factory. James was originally from Milltown, near Lurgan, in the centre of the narrow strip of Co. Down that touches Lough Neagh. His father, who was a farmer in the area, also owned a country pub.

James won two Louth football championship medals with Dundalk Young Irelands and played in the first All-Ireland final against Limerick Commercials on April 29, 1888 and were defeated by 1-4 to 0-3. James thus became the first Ulsterman to play in an All-Ireland football final.

On April 14, 1893, James Campbell emigrated to New York but before his departure, there was an address and presentation of a gold watch and chain to him by the members of the Dundalk Young Ireland Society at their meeting rooms, 100 Clanbrassil Street on April 11. In New York, he married Mary Hyde, an emigrant from Dundalk. They had two children - James, a fighter pilot who was killed in action during the Second World War and Eileen who died in 1975.

James was an uncle of the Murray family who also lived in Milltown. In 1964, when Alf Murray, then President of the GAA, was on a visit to New York, James daughter Eileen presented the two Louth championship medals to him. Twenty years later, Alf Murray presented the two medals to the Hon. President of Dundalk Young Irelands, Rev. John Mulligan S.M. and they now hold an honoured place in Young Irelands memorabilia.

Sources:
Dundalk Democrat 1885-1895
Con Short, Peter Murray, Jimmy Smith: Ard Macha 1884-1984 (R&S Prnters, Monaghan).
John Mulligan S.M. - in conversation with Alf Murray.