The Gentlemen of Ireland were frequent visitors to Philadelphia over the years, playing the Philadelphia Gentlemen (or amateur) team on several occasions in 1879, 1888, 1892 and in 1909. Although the Gentlemen of Philadelphia had held first-class status since 1878, their Irish equivalents had not. However in 1909 they had for the first time been granted that honour, so two first-class matches were to be played in Philadelphia. One year previously Philadelphia had played an All Ireland XI (a team which included professionals) in a first-class match in Dublin. Their legendary swing bowler, Bart King took 14-63 in the match, bowling his side to victory by an innings and plenty. Now Ireland's amateurs were back for more and King was waiting. The Irish were nothing if not confident and sent a press release to America that was widely circulated in the Philadelphia and New York area stating that they would "show New York and Philadelphia how to play the game". After beating Ottawa, Ontario, Baltimore and New York, who they had reduced to 0-6 in their first innings, they came to Philadelphia for those first-class encounters. What happened in Philadelphia was truly remarkable.