Legendary GAA manager Mick O'Dwyer dies
Mick O'Dwyer, all smiles after Kildare's Leinster Final win in 1998 ©INPHO/James Meehan
Legendary GAA figure Mick O’Dwyer has died today, aged 88.
He will be remembered as one of the GAA’s greatest ever players and managers. Within Kildare, the impact he made during his two managerial spells was immense and he helped deliver some of the greatest days in the county’s GAA history.
He won four All-Ireland medals as a player in Kerry and then eight as a manager before arriving with great fanfare in Kildare in September 1990.
His first term was a case of what might have been and he departed in 1994 but by 1996 he was back in charge of Kildare for what proved to golden era in the county.
Kildare came to a standstill during the summer of 1997, and for many years after, as thousands upon thousands flocked to Croke Park to get behind Micko’s team and turned the venue into a sea of white.
The memories of the occasions are still vivid – the incredible trilogy of games against Meath in ’97, Bryan Murphy’s late goal against the same county in ’98 to bring a first Leinster title back to the county since ’56, the emotion of beating Micko’s native county in the All-Ireland and then not quite getting over the line against Galway on the biggest day of all, the unbelievable second half comeback against Dublin in the first Leinster final of this century.
More than those amazing memories on the field, the charismatic Kerryman created a bond with the county that continues to this day through his son Karl and his grandchildren who still live in Kildare and are still involved in the GAA. He brought us the greatest of the times and for that, he will never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories Micko.
Taoseach Micheál Martin was among the first to pay his respects.
"I am deeply saddened at the passing of Mick O'Dwyer - an icon of Gaelic Games. Micko lived and breathed Gaelic football. He embodied everything good about the game - dedication, ambition, positivity and community.
"His sporting legacy is unmatched. He will forever be one of Kerry's iconic players, winning four senior All-Ireland medals in 1959, 1962, 1969 and 1970. During his tenure as manager from 1975 to 1989, Kerry saw the Sam Maguire Cup return to the Kingdom eight times under Micko's leadership.
"Over his sporting career, Micko graced the pitch in 21 senior All Ireland finals - a feat that speaks volumes of his talent and dedication. After his time with the Kingdom, Micko continued to make waves as a manager, leading Kildare and Laois to Leinster titles and guiding Wicklow to a Tommy Murphy Cup victory.
"The Waterville native's intercounty career spanned well into his seventies until he hung up his managerial boots as Clare manager in 2014 at the ripe age of 77. Despite his numerous sporting achievements, Micko remained grounded. In RTÉ's 2018 documentary on his life, Micko famously said: 'I had a marvellous run, but wasn't I lucky to be born in Kerry'.
"Kerry, and indeed all of us, were fortunate to have him. My deepest sympathies go out to all his family and the entire GAA community.
"Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a anam. Leaba i measc na Naomh go raibh aige."
