Belfast Celtic and Linfield are set for another public clash at Windsor Park next week (October 28) – over 60 years after their last infamous encounter. In an event organised by the Irish Football Association's Football for All Programme, supporters of the original Belfast ‘Big Two’ will go head to head at this special gathering.

Kicking off at 7.30pm, the event is free of charge and will mark the second meeting this year between representatives of the two clubs, exploring issues surrounding Celtic’s historic decision to quit football after the Windsor riot of 1948. Together, they will also look back on other memorable incidents which arose over the years during the game known as the ‘Bog Meadows Derby’.

The event will also see the premiere of a specially commissioned double-header theatrical production, entitled Lish and Gerry at the Shrine, in which distinguished actors Lalor Roddy and Vincent Higgins will play the roles of Eilsha Scott and Gerry Morgan - Celtic's Protestant manager and Linfield's Catholic trainer. The writer is Belfast Celtic Society Chairman, Padraig Coyle, who co-wrote the play Paradise for the Lyric Theatre in 2004.

Living ghosts: Actors Lalor Roddy (left) and Vincent Higgins will raise the ghosts of Belfast Celtic

manager Elisha Scott and Linfield’s trainer Gerry Morgan, as the two clubs go head to head in

a special public event at Windsor Park on Thursday, October 28. Admission is free.

Trade union official Mark Langhammer will chair an open discussion on the history of the rivalry between Celtic and Linfield, which frequently caused sparks to fly in the Irish League. Mark is associated with north Belfast club Crusaders, which replaced Celtic after its withdrawal from football.

Looking forward to the event, Padraig Coyle said; "In April of this year the first of these events took place in the form of a private gathering of former Celtic players, Society members, representatives of Linfield and a number of fans. It was such a successful and though-provoking event that we decided to repeat the exercise. This time the turnstiles will be open to the wider Celtic and Linfield families, together with anyone else who may be interested in this important episode in Belfast’s sporting history.”

“Last time around, former Belfast Celts Jimmy Jones, Jackie Denver, Alex Moore, Gerry Burrell and Jimmy Donnelly were present, rubbing shoulders with members of the Bonnar, Fulton, Tully, Campbell, Scott, O’Connor, Kelly and McKavanagh families. All these names will ring loud in the ears of Belfast Celtic fans. Donegal Celtic was also well represented on the night by Chairman Raymond Bonnar and player Paul McAreavey. “Linfield’s manager David Jeffrey made time in a busy schedule to be there and the club chair Jim Kerr was most gracious in his welcome to us.”

On the evening of 28 October, Lalor Roddy will return to the role of Celtic manager Elisha Scott, which he performed at the event in April. But this time around, Coyle has created a new role for Belfast actor Vincent Higgins, who will play Gerry Morgan, Linfield's Catholic physiotherapist and trainer, who devoted most of his life to the Blues. Through the memories sparked by their exchange of stories, many different perspectives and reminiscences will doubtless emerge.

"We want to thank the Linfield Board, its supporters’ club and also the club historian Frank Taylor for all his help,” added Padraig Coyle. “Also, none of this would have been possible without the backing of the IFA's Football for All programme, led by Michael Boyd, Maria Wilson and Lisa Rickett. Their encouragement and enthusiasm have made an enormous contribution to keeping alive the memory of Belfast's Grand Old Team."