Widespread sadness in Kildare at passing of GAA legend Mick O'Dwyer

Kerry native led Kildare to Leinster Final victory in 1998 and 2000

There is widespread sadness in Kildare at the passing of GAA legend Mick O'Dwyer who coached Kildare to a historic Leinster Gaelic Football victory in 1998 and 2000.

The Kerry man was aged 88.

Away from the GAA, Mick O'Dwyer was a hotelier and undertaker in his native Waterville.

After glory years with Kerry, Micko won Leinster championships with Kildare in 1998 and 2000 - leading to unforgettable jubiliant scenes across the county. 

He also guiding the Lilywhites to an All-Ireland final in '98, where they lost by four points to Galway.

He was recruited to O'Moore County in 2002, soon after leaving Kildare. He took over at a golden era for underage Laois football with the county producing multiple All-Ireland Championship winning teams. 

Micko went on to lead Laois to the 2003 Leinster Championship in Croke Park defeating Kildare in the final. The Kerry man led his charges to defeat Dublin on the way to way to the final. He also led in 2004 and 2005. He departed Laois in 2006.

The revolutionary coach won four All-Ireland titles as a player with Kerry before later guiding the Kingdom to eight titles during the 1970s and 1980s. 

He followed his term in Laois with management spells with Wicklow and Clare.

In a statement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he is deeply saddened at the passing of Mick O’Dwyer.

"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," he said.

Away from GAA, Mick O'Dwyer was a hotelier and undertaker in his native Waterville. 

He is survived by his wife Geraldine and sons John, Robbie and Karl. He is pre-deceased by his first wife, Mary and another son Michael.

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