The intended teams published in the Western Mail on the morning of the match were as follows:-
"South of Ireland: T. Harrison (Cork), back; T. M. Corker (Cork) and W. Wallis (Waterford), half back; W. J. Goulding, Capt (Cork) and W. Peics (Cork), quarter back; W. A. Cummins (Cork), A. Forrest (Limerick), F. Gray (Cork), W. Kelly (Limerick), J. J. Keon (Limerick), F. Kennedy (Fermoy), A. R. McMullen (Cork), R. Meyers (Wexford), J. Purdon (Wexford), and E. W. Loane (Queenstown), forwards. Newport: C. F. Thompson, back; F. Phillips and H. H. Hancock, quarter back; C. H. Newman, C. H. Knox, and T. Spittle, half back; A. Goss, F. A. Goss, G. F. Harding, T. Harding, H. S. Lyne, A. A. Newman, W. Phillips (Capt.), W. Ponsford, and J.J. Woods, forwards."
On 19th November 1879 the Western Mail reported on this game, the first of three in "NEWPORT FOOTBALL WEEK", with the visitors being Blackheath on Thursday (20th) http://www.historyofnewport.co.uk/games/games.php?id=000225 and Weston Super Mare on Saturday (22nd) http://www.historyofnewport.co.uk/games/games.php?id=000226 :-
"SOUTH OF IRELAND v. NEWPORT. – On Tuesday afternoon this match came off on the Newport Club ground, resulting in 2 goals, 2 tries, and 12 touches down in favour of the home team, the Irish team having only secured one goal, and caused their adversaries to touch down once in self defence. The strangers received a hearty reception, and were met at the station by the Catholic drum and fife band. The game was watched with considerable interest by a large number of persons, and the utmost good humour and friendly feeling marked the day's proceedings."