HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

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Tony Haddon

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The recent death of Tony Hadden ended another link to the great Down team of 1960-61 - the first team to bring Sam Maguire across the border. There was no TV coverage at the time, but yet that team left a lasting impression and deserves to be mentioned among the greatest of all time. I know that James McCartan, Joe Lennon, Pat Rice and, more recently, Eddie McKay have all passed on, and sadly there are probably others as well. Does anyone know how many of the team are still alive? midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 627 - 13/08/2025 11:18:36 2631583 Link
There are 4 of the 1960 still alive. Kevin Mussen the captain of the team recently featured on a GAA Social podcast talking about the 1960 win and he said that there were only 5 on the starting line up still alive. That was before the sad passing of Tony Hadden. The others still living are Sean O Neill and his brother Kevin O'Neill and Paddy Doherty. The success of the team is featured in the recent RTE podcast Hell for Leather episode 2 I think. I hope this helps. Good luck to Westmeath going forward. Been to a couple of matches in Mullingar over the years 2012 Down beat Tipperary in a last 12 qualifier match there and then the draw with Westmeath there last year. REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1714 - 13/08/2025 13:10:59 2631640 Link
Replying To REDANDBLACK30: "There are 4 of the 1960 still alive. Kevin Mussen the captain of the team recently featured on a GAA Social podcast talking about the 1960 win and he said that there were only 5 on the starting line up still alive. That was before the sad passing of Tony Hadden. The others still living are Sean O Neill and his brother Kevin O'Neill and Paddy Doherty. The success of the team is featured in the recent RTE podcast Hell for Leather episode 2 I think. I hope this helps. Good luck to Westmeath going forward. Been to a couple of matches in Mullingar over the years 2012 Down beat Tipperary in a last 12 qualifier match there and then the draw with Westmeath there last year." Thanks for that info, REDANDBLACK. I've seen some old black and white footage of the 1960/61 finals and was very impressed by the football Down played. Later, I was lucky enough to attend the 1968 final, with Dan McCartan, Joe Lennon, Paddy Doherty and the great Sean O'Neill leading an otherwise very young team to victory over Kerry. I heard a great story about Kevin Mussen many years ago and, like many great GAA stories, it may not be true. The local postman (who happened to be of the Unionist persuasion) called to Mussen's house and asked if he could see the Sam Maguire cup. As he admired the famous trophy, the postman is reputed to have said: "Isn't it great to take this cup from those Free State b***ds!" midlands (Westmeath)** - Posts: 627 - 13/08/2025 16:03:23 2631704 Link
Replying To midlands: "Thanks for that info, REDANDBLACK. I've seen some old black and white footage of the 1960/61 finals and was very impressed by the football Down played. Later, I was lucky enough to attend the 1968 final, with Dan McCartan, Joe Lennon, Paddy Doherty and the great Sean O'Neill leading an otherwise very young team to victory over Kerry. I heard a great story about Kevin Mussen many years ago and, like many great GAA stories, it may not be true. The local postman (who happened to be of the Unionist persuasion) called to Mussen's house and asked if he could see the Sam Maguire cup. As he admired the famous trophy, the postman is reputed to have said: "Isn't it great to take this cup from those Free State b***ds!"" True or not, that's a great story. RIP to all those Down players who have passed on. They brought mighty flair to the game at the time! foreveryoung (USA)** - Posts: 2359 - 13/08/2025 22:23:21 2631770 Link