Leinster Leader 29th October 1955
Passing of Great Kildare Footballer
The Late Mr. Jack Higgins, Naas.
With the death of Mr. Jack Higgins, Gaeldom has lost one of the greatest players of all time. In his particular position as centre half back he had no peer, and this is admitted by his greatest and most generous opponents, the men from the Kingdom of Kerry. As John Joe Sheehy, famous Kerry footballer, remarked at the funeral: “There will never be another Jack Higgins.”
The late Mr. Higgins had been ailing for only a short time, and succumbed following an operation in the Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. His first introduction to football was with the Naas Christian Brothers, and he played in the Schools’ League in 1915. He graduated to junior ranks later, and was on the Kildare junior team which contested the Leinster championship in 1924. From that onwards his rise to football fame was meteoric. Whilst in the army he assisted the Dublin senior footballers, and he also played with the noted Cavan Slashers when he was stationed in Virginia; another honour to fall his way was and All-Army championship medal.
Won Many Honours
During the halcyon days of the All Whites, from 1926 to 1935, Jack was the most brilliant in a constellation of football stars, and he won six Leinster championships with Kildare in succession and two All Irelands – 1927 and 1928; he was an automatic selection on the Leinster Railway Cup selection on the Leinster Railway Cup selection from 1926 to 1935, captaining the sides which won the trophy in 1930 and 1932, and also figuring on the successful 1928, 1929 and 1933 combinations. He had the distinction of earning his place on the Ireland teams which opposed America in the 1928 and 1932 Tailteann Games.
His association with the Naas Gaelic Football Club went back as far as 1919, when he was on the victorious team that won the county title. Subsequently he annexed numerous senior championships with Naas, whose team in the late twenties and thirties was practically unbeatable, not infrequently five or six all-Ireland men figuring on the side, which, on one notable occasion, beat the Kerry county team.
Jack continued playing football until the 1935 All – Ireland final against Cavan, when an old leg injury reasserted itself and brought to a close a wonderfully successful football career.
However, he still kept in touch with Gaelic athletic affairs in the council chamber, being chairman of the Naas Club from 1936 onwards, a county selector and Kildare’s representative on the Leinster Council, where he invariably upheld the claims of his native county, speaking his mind freely when occasion demanded it; his opinions were highly regarded in G.A.A. circles – his name, indeed, was a household word in all parts of the country wherever football was the topic and the deeds of those giants of the past discussed at the fireside. For those who recollect his many duels with Kildare’s great rivals, Kerry, and his superb displays in many championship engagements, his renown will always be a source of pride and elation. He came of great football family, for his brother, George, captained the Kildare team in 1925, and he also played on the Kildare team in 1926; his brother, the late Mr. Christopher (Lager) Higgins, was one of the bulwarks of the Naas team for many years, whilst his nephew, Mr. Christopher Higgins, played with Kildare from 1932 to 1939. Another nephew, Tommy, figured on Kildare teams from 1936 to 1940.
A great sportsman and a great Gael, Jack Higgins was universally respected and admired – and, true to form, he was generous and warm-hearted; only his close friends were aware of the many kind gestures he made during his lifetime, and his sincerity and goodwill were characteristics of a truly Christian gentleman. His passing will be deeply mourned not only by his widow, family and relatives, but by every Gael and sportsman in the country.
The Funeral
The remains were removed from Dublin to the Church of Our Lady and St. David, Naas, on Monday evening, the cortege being of huge proportions, many people travelling from the city; on Tuesday the funeral to St. Corban’s Cemetery was stated to be the largest witnessed in living memory, Army personnel, with whom he was so deservedly popular, forming a very large contingent. Every town and hamlet in the country was represented, a party of his old comrades travelling all the way from Kerry. Most of the County G.A.A. Boards in the four provinces sent representatives, and County Kildare clubs were also there in strength. In addition there was an extremely large attendance of the general public, drawn from all sections of the community. Members of the Naas Club carried the remains to the cemetery, and members of the 1926, 1927, 1928 teams formed a Guard of Honour. They consisted of : Mick Buckley, Matt Goff, Gus Fitzpatrick, Jack Hayes, “Squires” Gannon, Joe Curtis, Tom Keogh, Bill Mangan, Paddy Loughlin, Albert O’Neill, Larry Stanley, Bertie Graham, Charlie Graham, Tom Wheeler, Dan Ryan, Paddy Byrne, Jimmy Maguire, “Darkie” Ryan, Peter Waters and “Ginger” Moran. Team mates who predeceased him were; Frank Malone, Joe Loughlin and Paul Doyle.
Mr. Joe Rafferty, of 1903 and 1904 All-Ireland fame, was amongst those present, who included: Mr. G. Sweetman, Minister for Finance; Mr. T. Harris, T.D; Mr. Mark Deering, T.D.; Mr. Padraigh O’Keeffe, Secretary of the Central Council, G.A.A.; Dr. Stuart, Chairman of the Leinster Council; Mr. Martin O’Neill, Secretary of the Leinster Council; Mr. H. Byrne (Wicklow), Vice-Chairman of the Leinster Council; Mr. Peter Whelan; Messrs John J. Sheehy, Con Brosnan, Johnny O’Riordan, F. Sheehy, Bob Stacl, Dr. J. Brosnan, Messrs Paul Russell, Tim O’Donnell, and T. Crowley, Secretary, Kerry County Board; Mr. Edward Timmins, Mr, Tommy Moore (Dublin); Mr, Liam Geraghty, Chairman of the County Kildare G.A.A. Board; Mr. T. Lawler, Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Taidgh O Cleirigh, Secretary; Mr. P. J. Cox, Mr. Wm. O’Neill, Capt. P. Murrihy; Mr. Sean O’Neill, Chairman of the Dublin Junior Board; Messrs. Johnny McDonnell, J. Synnott, Wm. Dowling, John Sherlock, J. Curran, R. Freeman (Dublin); Messrs. Jack Fitzgerald, J. Curran, W. Eggleston, Peter McDermott and Ml. Keogh (Meath); Messrs. Wm. Lawless and Frank Cullen (Wicklow); Messrs. T. Flood, J. Matthews, M. McKeon (Louth); Rev. E. Vaughan, C.C., Sean Robbins and Ll. Spain (Offaly); Messrs. S. Deignan, P. Lynch and “Big Tom” Reilly (Cavan); Messrs. B. Walsh and C. Fagan (Westmeath); Mr. John Dunne (Galway); Mr. P Mockler (Mayo); Messrs. E. Long and M Carpenter (Carlow); Danny Douglas and Tommy Hayes (Curragh); Mr. M. Nolan (Maynooth), representing the Irish Amateur Billiards Association; Mr. Tommy Kelly, Kilcock; Messrs. J. Dunne, P. Brennan and T. O’Callaghan, representing Kildare Brigade, Old I.R.A.; Mr. J.J. Cardiff; Messrs. P. Healy, J. Dunphy and Joe Fox; Mr. F. Brennan, Mr. Ed Merriman, Mr. Hussey Cribbin, Lt. Col. J.T. Daly, Comdt. Pierce Barry, Comdt. J. McGrath, Chief Supt. O’Driscoll, Inspector B. Poole, Sergt. J. Houlihan, Sergt. J. Cronin, Mr. Ml. Molloy, Tallaght; Messrs. D. Finn, N. Moran and T. Hanrahan; Mr. S. O Siotchain. Mr. Joseph McDonald, Rev. P. Lalor, C.C., Kildare; Mr J.J. Mullaney, Secretary of the Kildare County Council.
Rev. L. Newman, C.C., officiated at the graveside, assisted by Very Rev. Dr. Miller, P.P., V.F.., Droichead Nua; Very Rev. Father Bennett, P.P., Caragh; Rev. T. Kennedy, C.C., Rathangan and Rev. Jack Walsh, C.C.
The chief mourners were; Mrs Mary Higgins (widow); Dominick, Frank, Jim and Jerome (sons); Mrs. Anastasia Goulding and Mrs Kathleen Doyle (daughters); Mrs. Annie Hogan (sister); George, Tommy and Michael Higgins (brothers); Mrs Michael Higgins, Mrs Mary Higgins, Mrs Bridget Higgins, Mrs Nellie Higgins (sisters-in-law); Cecil Doyle, Jack Goulding (sons-in-law); Mrs Dominick Higgins (daughter-in-law). Hundreds of telegrams, Mass cards and messages of sympathy were received.
An Appreciation
This week Gaels throughout Ireland were shocked at the announcement of the death of “Jack Higgins of Kildare.” Whenever and wherever Gaelic football was discussed, his name was bound to arise. He was recognised nationally as the greatest centre-half that ever graced a Gaelic football arena. Much has been written and will be written about his prowess. Sufficient to say that throughout his playing career he was an automatic selection for his county, his province and his country. After Jack “hung up his boots” he was equally capable as a legislator. Year after year he was selected as Kildare’s representative on the Leinster Council, G.A.A. His advice and help was sought and appreciated by individuals, clubs, and counties throughout the country.
Genial Disposition
He was an exemplary Catholic and played the game of life in true Irish tradition. His unassuming and genial disposition made him assured of a welcome in any company. He was full of Christian charity and generous almost to a fault. A stranger in Naas was never stranded – many a time the question “Where does Jack Higgins live? Was asked; a knock on Jack’s door and relief was assured. The country, the county, and the town of Naas in particular, suffer an immeasurable loss by his regretted demise.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam chrόga.
E.M., Naas.
The Leinster Leader, 29th October 1955, reported on the passing of one of the all time greats of Kildare football, Jack Higgins, Naas
Comments on this entry are closed.