Mick Higgins
Encyclopedia
Mick Higgins was an Irish
sportsperson who played Gaelic football
for Cavan
, winning three All-Ireland medals during his career. In later years he was a successful coach.
His first All-Ireland Senior Football medal came as a member of the team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
final played at the Polo Grounds
in New York
, United States
in 1947. Cavan retained that title the following year and won it again in 1952 when Higgins was captain of the team.
Higgins also won the Ulster Senior Football Championship
with Cavan on seven occasions, as well as both the National Football League
and Railway Cup on two occasions each.
Higgins won the Cavan Senior Football Championship with Mountnugent GAA in 1946, he played with famous players such as Tony Tighe, Peter Donohue and Connie Kelly
Upon his death in 2010 Higgins was said by the Irish Independent
s Martin Breheny to have been "widely regarded as one of the greatest talents ever to emerge from Cavan". The Longford Leaders Eugene McGee described him as "a man who became a GAA superstar of his generation, despite limited coverage of games he played". Seán Moran of The Irish Times
described him as "one of the great football figures of the last century".
. At the age of five he moved to Kilnaleck
, County Cavan
, birthplace of his mother. He served in the Garda Síochána
, eventually being promoted to the rank of sergeant. He married his wife Margaret and with her had four children, son John and daughters Terry, Jean and Brenda, all five of whom outlived him. Amongst his other interests were greyhound
racing and he trained the dogs.
in a game against Monaghan
. Cavan won the tournament that year. In 1947 he flew for 30 hours with the Cavan team to New York to play in that year's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final, held abroad on that occasion to mark the centenary of the Great Famine and celebrate the Irish who emigrated at this time. Cavan beat Kerry
, giving Higgins his first All-Ireland medal. To celebrate the team embarked on a voyage on the RMS Queen Mary
being greeted by crowds of people in Southampton
, London
and Birmingham
. Cavan beat Mayo
in the 1948 final to retain the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship but lost to Meath
in the 1949 final to miss out on three consecutive titles. However, Higgins went on to win his third All-Ireland medal with Cavan in 1952.
in that year's All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final.
During the 1960s Higgins was the coach of Longford
when they won the National Football League (1966) and their first (and at the time of his death only) Leinster Senior Football Championship
(1968). He also assisted Donegal
with their first Ulster Senior Football Championship win (1972).
as no GAA All Stars Awards
were being issued at the time of his playing career. In 1989 he was entered into the Texaco Hall of Fame. In November 2009, the Irish Independent selected him as the 36th best player in the newspaper's all time list of 125 players.
He was interviewed at his Virginia
home in 2002. In an interview shortly before his death Higgins was asked what his legacy would be. He replied:
Higgins died at the age of 87 in January 2010. His death means that Owen Roe McGovern
, who now resides in New Jersey, is the sole survivor from Cavan All-Ireland winning teams of 1947 and '48. His funeral and burial took place on January 30, 2010. At his death Cavan had not featured in an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final since Higgins's last win in 1952.
In his tribute Christy Cooney
, President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
, said Higgins was "a man who made an immense and lasting contribution to Gaelic games".
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson who played Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
for Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
, winning three All-Ireland medals during his career. In later years he was a successful coach.
His first All-Ireland Senior Football medal came as a member of the team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
final played at the Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1947. Cavan retained that title the following year and won it again in 1952 when Higgins was captain of the team.
Higgins also won the Ulster Senior Football Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
with Cavan on seven occasions, as well as both the National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
and Railway Cup on two occasions each.
Higgins won the Cavan Senior Football Championship with Mountnugent GAA in 1946, he played with famous players such as Tony Tighe, Peter Donohue and Connie Kelly
Upon his death in 2010 Higgins was said by the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
s Martin Breheny to have been "widely regarded as one of the greatest talents ever to emerge from Cavan". The Longford Leaders Eugene McGee described him as "a man who became a GAA superstar of his generation, despite limited coverage of games he played". Seán Moran of The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
described him as "one of the great football figures of the last century".
Early and personal life
Higgins was born in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. At the age of five he moved to Kilnaleck
Kilnaleck
Kilnaleck or Kilnalec is a small village in County Cavan, Ireland on the R154 regional road. Kilnaleck was once the centre of a mining boom when in 1879 some local businessmen and a school headmaster decided to develop the coal that existed nearby...
, County Cavan
County Cavan
County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
, birthplace of his mother. He served in the Garda Síochána
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
, eventually being promoted to the rank of sergeant. He married his wife Margaret and with her had four children, son John and daughters Terry, Jean and Brenda, all five of whom outlived him. Amongst his other interests were greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
racing and he trained the dogs.
Playing career
In 1943 Higgins debuted in the Ulster Senior Football ChampionshipUlster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
in a game against Monaghan
Monaghan GAA
The Monaghan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Monaghan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Monaghan and the Monaghan inter-county football and hurling teams. Separate county boards are responsible for the...
. Cavan won the tournament that year. In 1947 he flew for 30 hours with the Cavan team to New York to play in that year's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final, held abroad on that occasion to mark the centenary of the Great Famine and celebrate the Irish who emigrated at this time. Cavan beat Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
, giving Higgins his first All-Ireland medal. To celebrate the team embarked on a voyage on the RMS Queen Mary
RMS Queen Mary
RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner that sailed primarily in the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard Line...
being greeted by crowds of people in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. Cavan beat Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in the 1948 final to retain the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship but lost to Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
in the 1949 final to miss out on three consecutive titles. However, Higgins went on to win his third All-Ireland medal with Cavan in 1952.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player Higgins entered coaching. He won the Ulster Senior Football Championship on three occasions with Cavan and also led them to their most recent appearance in any All-Ireland final in 1959 when they were defeated by DublinDublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in that year's All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final.
During the 1960s Higgins was the coach of Longford
Longford GAA
The Longford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Longford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Longford...
when they won the National Football League (1966) and their first (and at the time of his death only) Leinster Senior Football Championship
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
(1968). He also assisted Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
with their first Ulster Senior Football Championship win (1972).
Later years and death
In recognition of his skills and long-running contribution to the sport, Higgins was awarded the 1987 All-time all-star awardGAA All-Time All-Star Award (Football)
The GAA All-Time All-Star Award in Football was an award given on an annual basis to a sportsperson who had made a long-running and considerable contribution to the sport of Gaelic football in Ireland...
as no GAA All Stars Awards
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
were being issued at the time of his playing career. In 1989 he was entered into the Texaco Hall of Fame. In November 2009, the Irish Independent selected him as the 36th best player in the newspaper's all time list of 125 players.
He was interviewed at his Virginia
Virginia, County Cavan
Virginia is a small town of 3,939 inhabitants in County Cavan, Ireland. It was founded at Aghanure during the Plantation of Ulster and was named Virginia after Queen Elizabeth I of England....
home in 2002. In an interview shortly before his death Higgins was asked what his legacy would be. He replied:
Higgins died at the age of 87 in January 2010. His death means that Owen Roe McGovern
Owen Roe McGovern
Owen Roe McGovern was a former Gaelic football player for Cavan.-Playing career:A native of Swanlinbar, he could play at corner-back or half-back. He won 2 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals in 1947,'48. He was a member of the great Cavan squad which won the All-Ireland Final in the...
, who now resides in New Jersey, is the sole survivor from Cavan All-Ireland winning teams of 1947 and '48. His funeral and burial took place on January 30, 2010. At his death Cavan had not featured in an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final since Higgins's last win in 1952.
In his tribute Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney is the current President of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
, President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
, said Higgins was "a man who made an immense and lasting contribution to Gaelic games".
See also
- All-Ireland Senior Football Winning CaptainsAll-Ireland Senior Football Winning CaptainsThis article provides a list of the captains of the winning teams in each respective year of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic Football in Ireland.-List of Captains:...
- GAA All-Time All-Star Award (Football)GAA All-Time All-Star Award (Football)The GAA All-Time All-Star Award in Football was an award given on an annual basis to a sportsperson who had made a long-running and considerable contribution to the sport of Gaelic football in Ireland...