Dumbarton's run in the Scottish Cup was short-lived as they were knocked out in the third round by Pollokshields Athletic.

With three of the strongest teams in the country at the time playing out of Dumbartonshire, it was no easy feat to win the cup, and Dumbarton required to see off both of their strongest local rivals, Renton in the first round and Vale of Leven in the final, to become the first winners for the county cup.

Source:[13] An international trial match was played on 7 March 1885 to consider selection of teams to represent Scotland in the 1885 British Home Championship.

Subsequently, five Dumbarton players were selected to play, as follows: - Robert 'Plumber' Brown[14] and Leitch Keir[15] both earned their first caps against Wales.

The Dumbartonshire Football Association played three representative matches during the season and Dumbarton players were selected to play as follows: Dumbarton withdrew from the Second Eleven Association in protest at the unsuccessful attempt to have the previous year's final against Kilmarnock Athletic replayed.