A reunion for Waterford's 1980 FAI Cup-winning side is being held this weekend, organised by former League of Ireland referee Jim O'Neill. The event connects historic success with the current league campaign of Shamrock Rovers, who sit first in the Premier Division on 68 points after 36 games.

The 'Remember the 1980 Cup Winners' event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Sandymount Hotel, adjacent to the Aviva Stadium where this season's final will be played. It includes a dinner, late music, breakfast, a photo shoot with the 1980s squad, and a post-match celebration. O'Neill and two colleagues pooled €7,500 to reserve 26 rooms for Saturday night.

Waterford's 1980 triumph remains their most recent FAI Cup victory. The reunion brings together multiple generations of football families, including the O'Neill clan, with 18 family members attending. John O'Neill, who played with Waterford in the 1960s and won six league medals, will be represented by relatives. His son Jimmy O'Neill noted his father scored the first goal in a semi-final loss to Shamrock Rovers decades ago.

Family Legacy and Club Connections

Jimmy McGeough, an 83-year-old former player who won five League of Ireland titles with Waterford and later an Irish Football League title with Derry City, is attending with his family. Jim O'Neill liaised with McGeough's relatives to extend the invitation. The event also features a Rose of Tralee photoshoot with Waterford Rose Cara Comerford and Derry Rose Cara Hamilton.

O'Neill, a Waterford fan who refereed the 2002 FAI Cup final where Derry City beat Shamrock Rovers, joked about the connection. "The last time I was involved in a Cup final was when Derry beat Shamrock Rovers in the early-2000s at Tolka Park," he said. "That’s where I say to Derry - you owe me one!"

Current Premier Division Context

While the reunion looks back, Shamrock Rovers are firmly focused on the present. The Hoops lead the Premier Division by three points from Bohemians, though their form has been mixed with three wins and two losses in their last five outings. Their most recent result was a 3-1 defeat away to Dundalk on 30 October, where Robert Cornwall scored an own goal for the hosts.

The weekend's celebrations will conclude with a post-match gathering at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, capping off an event that bridges generations of Irish football history.

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