." but it couldn't have been any one else.

There was no other possible rival, and "Cards," like the rest of the world, bowed to Dune's charm.
The Dublin match, to be played now in a fortnight's time, would settle the football question.

It was generally expected that they would try Dune in that match and judge him finally then on his play.

There was a good deal of betting on the matter, and those who remembered his earlier games said that nothing could ever make Dune a reliable player and that it was a reliable player that was wanted.
When Olva came into "Hall" that evening he was conscious of two pairs of eyes, Craven's and Bunning's.

On either side of the high vaulted hall the tables were ranged, and men, shouting, waving their glasses, lined the benches.