WATCH | Longford Town soccer legend Zac Hackett who realised his boyhood dreams inducted into Hall of Fame

The legendary Pat 'Zac' Hackett was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2024 Longford Leader Sports Star Awards, in association with Longford Sports Partnership, on Saturday night in the Longford Arms Hotel.

'Zac' had a great chat on stage with MC Tony Ghee. 

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HALL OF FAME - ZAC HACKETT, LONGFORD TOWN FC

In this landmark centenary season as Longford Town FC celebrate 100 years in existence, it is indeed fitting that the recipient of the prestigious Hall of Fame honour in the 2024 Longford Leader Sports Star Awards is the iconic Pat ‘Zac' Hackett.

Held in very high esteem for his exploits on the pitch during his distinguished football career, Zac wore the ‘red and black’ jersey with tremendous pride. 

Born and bred in his beloved Longford, few can argue with the fact that Pat is a legendary figure in the history of the League of Ireland and one of his finest achievements occurred in the late 80’s when he played a major role in guiding the Town to the FAI Cup semi-finals. 

Working with an all local/midlands squad, ‘little’ Longford - inspired by player/manager Zac - punched well above their weight to reach the last four before losing out to the might of Derry City. 

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Hackett first played underage football when he was seven years old and made his senior debut for Longford Town at the tender age of 15, starting his League of Ireland career with the club in the ‘B’ Division before the midlanders were eventually admitted to the League of Ireland proper in the 1984/’85 season.

Back to the future and ‘Zac’ was in the limelight once again for the excellent docufilm on his life as a footballer which was screened in the sold out Backstage Theatre in September.  

‘Zac Hackett: A Football Man’,  will be screened again in the local theatre at the end of January due to popular demand and many memories are recalled in a tribute to one of the greatest players ever to line-out with Longford Town FC.    

Another iconic figure in the proud history of the club was the late Paddy Clabby and the ultra  competitive Town League was named in the honour of the outstanding administrator. 

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The winning of the Paddy Clabby Cup was a much sought after prize for the local and further afield players back in the past and Zac Hackett was an integral part of the annual summer tournament which was a major attraction.  

Pat will be the first to admit that he cherished the number of times he featured on the winning teams, most notably with All Blacks and then with Valentines.  

Zac is so proud of his Longford roots and was a real class act on the soccer stage.