Mick O'Dwyer, legendary Kerry GAA manager and footballer, has died aged 88

MICK O’DWYER, RENOWNED Kerry Gaelic football player and former county manager has passed away at the age of 88.

Regarded as one of one of the greatest managers in the history of the sport, ’Micko’ was an iconic presence in the Kingdom as both player and manager.

While his incredible management career led to the idea of a ‘manager’ in Gaelic Games, he was a remarkable footballer and made his debut in the 1956-57 league season, facing Carlow in October 1956.

He went on to win four All-Irelands, eleven Munster medals and seven league titles during his playing days, while he also lost five All-Ireland finals.

Having retired as a player, he immediately took over as manager in 1974 at the age of 38.

Kerry’s longest serving manager oversaw eight All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (SFC) wins, including a then record-equalling four-in-a-row between 1978 and 1981, and a three-in-a-row between 1984 and 1986.

He also managed Kildare, Laois, Wicklow and Clare throughout a distinguished career. He guided Kildare to Leinster senior football titles in 1998 and 2000, contesting the All-Ireland final in 1998 against Galway. He won the Leinster senior title with Laois in 2003, before subsequently taking over Wicklow and Clare.

The Kerry county board hailed the iconic figure football figure from Waterville:

“Mick O’Dwyer was more than a player, or a manager, he was the sum of all of these parts and a rare institution in Gaelic football. His various contributions to GAA, both on and off the field, have forged a pathway for Gaelic Football and he will be remembered for generations to come.

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“A jewel in the crown of South Kerry, and Kerry GAA, we feel privileged to call Micko one of our own, and to know that his imprint will forever be felt in Kerry. He is testament to what can be achieved in the GAA, and the importance of hard work, dedication and a true love for football and the GAA.

“The name Mick O’ Dwyer is linked with many achievements, but in Kerry, the name will always be synonymous with passion, success and an overriding commitment to excellence and instilling this excellence in others. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

“We remember his late wife Mary Carmel, his late son Haulie and extend our deepest sympathies to his sons, John, Robbie and Karl and the entire O’ Dwyer family and his very many dear friends.”

GAA President Jarlath Burns has extended the sympathies of the Association to O’Dwyer’s family.

“The passing of the great Mick O’Dwyer marks the loss of not just a Kerry legend but one of the true giants and icons of Gaelic games.

“He was, quite simply, the man with the Midas touch.

“The spell he weaved with that magnificent Kerry team of the 70s and 80s was a magic that was as intoxicating for us in South Armagh as it was in his own beloved South Kerry. The sideline battle of wits that he waged with Kevin Heffernan and Eugene McGee not only defined a generation for GAA fans, but they elevated Gaelic football to a whole new height and popularity.

“Before all of that, he had been an incredible footballer in his own right, playing senior inter-county football for 18 years, winning four All-Irelands and eight national league medals and was Footballer of the Year in 1969.

“His switch from playing retirement in 1974 to an All-Ireland winning manager in 1975 is one of the greatest comeback stories in GAA history, going on to win the Sam Maguire eight times in a golden 11-year period.

“Charismatic, clever and a shrewd judge of character, the provincial success he would enjoy coaching Kildare and Laois and the silverware he landed with Wicklow underscored his genius at getting the best out of players.

“His passion for cars was only outpaced by the grá for Gaelic football that constantly stirred in him and had him coaching local underage teams in Waterville up to the age of 79.

“There will only ever be one Micko, and while his passing is an enormous loss to his close family and great many friends, amongst the wider GAA family his memory will forever be celebrated and remembered, and we will be forever thankful that he was one of our own.

“Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas síoraí dó.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has also paid tribute to O’Dwyer this morning following his death:

“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 in 1975 to 1989, Kerry took the Sam Maguire Cup back to the Kingdom eight times.

“Over his sporting career, Micko appeared in 21 senior All Ireland finals – an outstanding achievement in itself.

“After the Kingdom, Micko had further success as a manager, leading Kildare and Laois to Leinster titles and guiding Wicklow to a Tommy Murphy Cup win.

“The Waterville man’s intercounty career lasted well into his seventies, until he retired as Clare manager in 2014 at the age of 77.

“Despite his many, many sporting achievements, Micko remained humble. In RTE’s 2018 documentary on his life, Micko famously said: ‘I had a marvellous run, but wasn’t I lucky to be born in Kerry.’

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“Kerry, and all of us, were lucky to have him.

“My deepest sympathies to all his family and the entire GAA community.

“Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a anam. Leaba i measc na Naomh go raibh aige.”

Tánaiste Simon Harris has also honoured Mick O’Dwyer’s memory, saying that his “contribution to Irish sport and community life was extraordinary, particularly in his native county Kerry.”

Wicklow GAA thanked Mick O’Dwyer for the service he brought to the county as manager between 2006 and 2011.

“It is with deep sadness that Wicklow GAA has learned of the passing of Mick O’Dwyer.
Mick managed our Senior Footballers with passion and dedication from 2006 to 2011.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his sons John, Robbie, and Karl, and the entire O’Dwyer family.”