He’s a member of St Finian’s, Newcastle. It took him over two years to complete the book.
He enjoyed every minute. Savoured every second he spent going through the archives.
“I have loved the written word and newspapers for as long as I can remember,” he writes
Supporting Dublin is also one of his great delights. “Following the team became a huge part of my life.
“They amassed unimaginable riches on the playing field. Their achievements, when measured in the pounds, shillings and pence of gold medals, will most likely never be matched.
“However, we dearly hope that Pat Gilroy, Jim Gavin, Dessie Farrell, the players and all concerned realise that they gave us, the fans, so much more.”
Eric covers every step. The details of every championship and league game is recorded. From 2013 to 2024.
It was no hardship. His constant companion at the matches was another True Blue, his daughter, Abbie.
Eric reflects on being fortunate enough to have visited famous places and attended spectacular sporting occasions throughout the world.
“But nothing beats wrapping up warm in early January and going out to see Dublin playing in the O’Byrne Cup.”
Former Dublin goalkeeper John O’Leary
He asked one of his heroes, John O’Leary, to write the foreword. It’s one of the highlights of the 303 pages.
John chats about his days minding the gates of Dublin Castle. And how it began without any bells and even fewer whistles.
The eve of the 1980 Leinster final. Kevin Heffernan asked him along to the Dublin training session in Parnell Park.
Mick O’Brien, the Athlone Town goalkeeper, was part of the squad. And defender Mick Kennedy had also played in goal.
“I took a few kick-outs, but thought nothing more of it. Kevin Heffernan then told me to bring my gear for the following day.
“I was delighted because it meant that I’d get to watch the game from the best seat in the house!
“Just before the throw-in, Kevin threw over a number 1 jersey and declared: “You’re in.”
“And I was the Dublin ‘keeper for the next 18 years!”
He reflected on the genius of Heffernan. His deep-thinking philosophy.
How he could relate with people. He knew whether a player needed the Alex Ferguson hair-dryer, or the arm around the shoulder.
John was captain of the Dublin 1995 team that won Sam, and which included Pat Gilroy, Jim Gavin and Dessie Farrell.
Their success in the dugout didn’t surprise him. As they brought the values of their day jobs with them.
“Dublin won so many tight games. Call it resilience or stubbornness or whatever. But Dublin got stronger from winning those games.
“That comes from the coaching, the leadership, the conversations within the group.”
John played 70 championship matches in succession.
“Stephen Cluxton broke my record. I like to joke that I helped discover him,” quipped John.
“I was a selector with Tommy Carr. He asked me what I thought about this young fella. I liked everything about him. His attitude. His temperament.
“His distribution is remarkable. He’s like a golfer with a short iron, pitching onto the green.”
John reveals his Mission Impossible. Picking the 15 best Dublin players that he played with, and those that followed.
“I’d have some job on my hands. I played with three generations of Dublin players.”
It would be a juggling act that would be a step too far.
“Just take the half-back line as an example. We’d have a problem trying to fit in Keith Barr, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Curran, Mick Deegan and James McCarthy, to name just a few.”
But Paddy Cullen will always top John’s honours list.
“I was 13 when he saved the penalty in the 1974 All-Ireland final against Galway. It was a real lump in the throat moment. I’ll never forget it.
“That’s where it all started – Jimmy Keaveney, Gay O’Driscoll, the Panther. It all began with Heffo’s Army.”
And extended to the famous five 2019 September night against Kerry.
“It was ten points each when they withdrew for tea,” recalls Eric. “Twenty points in one half of football, almost all from play.
“The two best teams in the land going at it hammer and tongs. As the great Michael O’Hehir might have said: ‘Hallelujah.’
“It’s easy to say now but there was a sense that the game might have been over just ten seconds into the second half.
“Eoin Murchan latched onto the breaking ball from the throw-in and took off for the Canal End. The Na Fianna man was not for catching.”
Soon, there would be another Na Fianna man in the cockpit.
On the last Saturday of the following November, Jim Gavin summoned the squad for a ‘Team Picture.’
But the real reason for the gathering was to announce his departure.
“It was like a bombshell,” admitted Seán Shanley, who was the Chairman of the Dublin County Board.
Then there was a new sheriff in town. “I’m under no illusions,” declared Dessie Farrell.
Dublin duly completed the six-in-a-row. Beating Mayo in the final.
As Jim Gavin had so often stated, delivering a performance is not as simple as flicking on a switch.
Eric agrees. The highlights reel so often conceals all the sweat and grit that it took to paint the Mona Lisa.
“A daring, arcing Diarmuid Connolly pass that lands softly in the hands of a grateful teammate. A booming Paul Flynn point from distance.
“A soaring Brian Fenton catch with Michael Jordan hang time. Jack McCaffrey turning on the jets, burning up the sideline.
“Another crafty Bernard Brogan goal finished with nonchalance. But we miss the point.
“All of those things can get you off your seat, but the brilliance of the Dubs was in their mastering of the basics. The devil was in the most minor details.”
It was Mayo who ended the greatest run the game has known. A three-point semi-final triumph after extra-time.
John O’Leary commended Mayo’s resolve. “I felt sorry for Mayo during Dublin’s six-in-a-row spell.
“I have great admiration for them. They just kept coming back. I love how the Mayo fans follow their team, year after year.”
In the manner of the loyal Dubs. And like the book itself, representing Dublin meant much more than results and trophies.
As Pat Gilroy related: “A guy might be on the ball for a minute during a game. It’s what he does for the other 69 minutes that counts.”
David Hickey focused on the early morning training sessions on the Alfie Byrne Road in Clontarf.
“2011 was a lousy winter. The team would train at 6.am. There was snow on the ground.
“Some guys left. Pat ended up with a core of guys that bought into it. They worked hard.”
Brian Mullins talked about his Dublin days. “You could not realise how it was unless you lived it.
“If I had any sort of problem in life, I could ring any of the fellas that I played with.
“What existed between us went deep. Love? Yes, maybe. Looking back, all I can think is it made my life worth living.”
A must for Dublin fans
Unbeatable – Dublin’s Incredible Six in a Row – Eric Haughan, O’Brien Press, €20.
