Duggan planning 1960s football reunion trip to wembley

Cavan football star of the 1960s and 1970s Steve Duggan has floated the idea of organising a reunion for the all-conquering Breffni stars of the ’60s – and it all came about because of The Anglo-Celt’s recent commemorative supplement.

Speaking from his home in New York this week, Steve revealed that he is currently in the early stages of planning a tour of the new Wembley stadium in London to coincide with a reunion of Cavan players of the 1960s, an era when the county won four Ulster SFC titles and played in Wembley with great success on three occasions.

“I got about 20 phone calls regarding the supplement in the Celt,” said Steve, “and after talking with some of my old team-mates, we came up with this idea. And it’s all thanks to the Celt! There was a fantastic reaction to the magazine and it got the ball rolling on this idea.

“I had spoken to the county board about it some years ago when Tom Boylan was treasurer but we never followed up - hopefully this time we can make it happen.”

Steve, who runs a popular bar in Manhattan, is encouraging anyone who may be interested to get in touch with him or with Paul Fitzpatrick at the Anglo-Celt office.

“No dates have been provisionally fixed yet but it is important to gauge the interest levels, from people I have spoken to, it seems to be a good idea,” he said.

And he also took the opportunity to wish his home club Ballyhaise the very best of luck in this weekend’s Intermediate Championship final. Duggan played on the last Ballyhaise team to win the IFC crown back in 1968, when they defeated Crosserlough by 1-5 to 0-5.

To register your interest in the commemorative function in London and tour of Wembley, contact Steve Duggan at Paddy Reilly’s Bar in Manhattan or The Anglo-Celt, Station House, Cavan.