MICK HIGGINS, one of the great football figures of the last century, has passed away at the age of 87. Captain of the last Cavan team to have won the All-Ireland in 1952, he was also the last remaining player from the county to have played in the famous 1947 All-Ireland final against Kerry in New York’s Polo Grounds.
Centre forward on both teams, he also won a third All-Ireland medal in 1948 and scored Cavan’s fourth goal in a remarkable 4-5 to 4-4 defeat of Mayo.
His place-kicking was the decisive factor in the 1952 final replay win over Meath and he scored seven points, five from play, out of his team’s winning total of nine.
Mick Higgins went on to become a distinguished and innovative coach – winning three Ulster titles with Cavan and bringing his county to their last All-Ireland appearance, the 1959 minor loss to Dublin, the golden jubilee of which was commemorated just a few months ago.
His advice and assistance were much in demand in the 1960s during which he coached Longford to the county’s most successful phase, winning the NFL in 1966 and in 1968 its only Leinster title. Later he helped Donegal win a first Ulster championship in 1972.
He played with Mountnugent/Kilnaneck and was more recently a member of Ramor United in Virginia.
GAA president Christy Cooney paid this tribute: “Mick made an immense contribution to the association over a prolonged period, a contribution that is still felt and appreciated today, nowhere more than in his native Cavan.
“However, it is no surprise that the success in New York still stands out as milestone date in the history of Cavan GAA and he played his role in that achievement.”
In a recent interview when asked what he would like to be remembered for, Higgins replied, “that I never hit anyone, I played a clean game and I was never put off”.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret, son John, daughters Terry, Jean and Brenda. He will be reposing in his home until 6pm this evening. House is strictly private after that time and the remains will be leaving at 7.45pm, arriving at Mary Immaculate Chapel, Virginia for 8.15pm.
Funeral Mass will be tomorrow morning at noon. Burial will be afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
