Quote:
Originally Posted by Niamh.
Yeah but they're Scottish, that's what I mean  It's like saying you're Irish American |
There was a substantial migration of Irish people to Scotland during the 19th century, particularly after the Irish Potato Famine. Most settled in the Glasgow area, but a small proportion made their way through to Edinburgh. The Cowgate was known as Little Ireland at the time, due to the concentration of Irish people in the area.
St. Patrick's Church in the Cowgate had founded a Catholic Young Men's Society (CYMS) in 1865. The Irish community was not integrated into the wider Edinburgh community, but Canon Edward Joseph Hannan was looking for a way to achieve this. Michael Whelahan suggested to Canon Hannon that the CYMS should form its own football club. In a meeting on 6 August 1875, Hibernian F.C. was founded, with Canon Hannon as its first manager and Whelahan as its first captain. This was done as part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of the birth of Daniel O'Connell.
Hibs players had to be members of the CYMS.] Because of this policy, Hibs have been accused of being
the first sectarian football club in Scotland
source: wiki