Jimmy Magee to celebrate All-Stars golden jubilee in Cavan
The 50th anniversary of the Jimmy Magee All-Stars football game will be commemorated with a special night of musical celebrations this Monday.
On June 6, 1966 the first ever All-Stars football game was played in Ballyjamesduff followed by a cabaret in St. Joseph’s Hall. The concept was the brainchild of the now legendry broadcaster Jimmy Magee. The idea was to bring sporting heroes out of retirement and line them up with household names from broadcasting and entertainment world to play a football game followed by a night of music, song and dance.
Finding the inaugural venue was not a problem as the late Connie Lynch who came from Ballyjamesduff and who at the time was the manager of Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband who were one of the biggest attractions in the country during that era. Connie straight away bought into the idea, suggested his home town, contacted a friend, Dessie Soden who lived in Ballyjamesduff and immediately the green light was given.
On the evening of June 6, 1966 the traffic in Ballyjamesduff was brought to a standstill as thousands of people flocked to the town to see their heroes. That evening a Jimmy Magee All-Stars selection played a team made up of the Mighty Avons and Drifters Showbands.
Belief
Jimmy had massive belief in his new project and while unknown to anyone else he had another 12 games organised for the remainder of the year much to the excitement of all involved when it was revealed at the first match post meal. The rest is now history.
Over a fifty year span every county in Ireland has been visited together with numerous trips to England, America and Switzerland. In that period when indexed linked the Jimmy Magee All-Stars have raised in excess of 5 Million Euro for deserving charities at home and abroad.
The Jimmy Magee All-Stars is a non-profit making group of people who give their time free of charge so as others, such as charitable organisations get much needed finance for the betterment of its members. At all times the Gross is also the Nett with all monies going directly to the designated charities.
Landmark day
Monday, June 6 will be a landmark day for Jimmy Magee, the many surviving members of his All-Stars group together with family and friends of deceased members. That day, by day and date with mark the official 50th Anniversary of the inception of the Jimmy Magee All-Stars.
To coincide with the date and to honour the occasion Jimmy Magee will return to Cavan for a night of nostalgia and celebrations. An All-Stars concert has been organised for the Hotel Kilmore, Dublin Road, Cavan where the venue will host some of Ireland’s best known names from the entertainment world.
Artists appearing on the night will include: Daniel O’Donnell, Philomena Begley, The Indians Showband, Matt Leavy, Johnny Peters, George Hunter, Billy Joyce, Kathy Durkin, Joe Doherty, Pascal Brennan, Frank Kilbride, Harry Rambsbottom, The Conquerors Showband and more. Comperes will be Jimmy Magee, Fr Brian D’Arcy and Owen McConnon.
All proceeds from the event will be divided equally between Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland – Cavan Branch. Tickets (unreserved seating) available from Hotel Kilmore reception. Telephone 049-4332288. Subscriptions €20. Doors open at 7pm with show commencing at 8pm.