In April 1976, Higgins reached the final again and faced.
In a match marred by erratic refereeing and a sub-standard table Reardon nevertheless pulled away to win the title for the fifth time, with the final score finishing at 27—16.
Their daughter Deirdre is an arts educator, composer for film, professional cellist and pianist.
He made appearances in the 2005 and 2006 , these comebacks ending in first-round defeats by Garry Hardiman and respectively.
Another notable victory was his final professional triumph in the at the age of 40 when he defeated a young.
He was buried in Carnmoney Cemetery in , County Antrim.