January 15, 1918
On Saturday in Belfast when the County Antrim Shield ties occupied attention, Belfast Celtic came back into senior football by virtue of their having won the Steel and Son’s Qualifying Cup. They were drawn against Belfast United, and they had a wonderful team of “juniors,” with such as Elisha Scott (Liverpool), McStay (Glasgow Celtic), Fred Barrett (their back in Senior League days), Mickey Hamill (Manchester United), McIlroy, Stewart, and Johnston (Cliftonville).
Belfast United had no such strength, their only men of note being McDade, McCloskey (of Linfield and Distillery) Leddy (Clyde), Stafford (Shelbourne) and Harry Buckle, who was with Plymouth Argyle many years ago. Celtic played better football than their opponents, but they failed to beat United’s clever goalkeeper, Boyd, and even missed a penalty kick. The end arrived with a scoreless draw.
In the other shield tie Linfield and Distillery met at Grosvenor Park, which was the scene on Christmas Day of Linfield’s only defeat during the season. Distillery were without Billy McCracken (Newcastle United), and played Drennan, of their second eleven, and also had both Charles Hafekost and Harry Chambers, of Liverpool, forward. Linfield had a two goal lead, both scored by Marshall McEwan before Laird (Shettleston) scored for Distillery.
(Athletic News/Sporting Chronicle: January 15, 1918)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 