Tributes are flowing in for the late Mick O'Dwyer after the Kerry legend passed away at the age of 88.
O'Dwyer was a legendary GAA figure who won four All-Irelands as a Kerry player and eight as manager, before going onto manage Kildare, Wicklow, Laois and Clare. He enjoyed huge success once again in those counties where he became a celebrated figure.
Born on June 9, 1936, The Waterville native played for Kerry for seventeen years, winning four All-Irelands and seven national leagues during his career.
He started off as a wing back for Kerry, but moved up to wing forward in latter years and won Texaco Footballer of the Year in 1969, after landing his third All-Ireland with the Kingdom.
He was a prolific scorer and is remembered as one of the finest forwards of his generation.
1964; Mick O'Dwyer, Kerry. Football. Picture credit; Connolly Collection / SPORTSFILE
O'Dwyer retired in 1974 but took over the Kerry team the following year, inspiring one of the most successful periods in the county as he managed a legendary team which included the likes of Pat Spillane, John Egan, Páidí Ó Sé and Mikey Sheehy.
He held that position until 1989 and then took over Kildare, first between 1991 and 1994 before returning for his second stint between 1998 and 2002. His second spell was hugely successful, helping them to the Leinster title in 1998 before losing that year's All-Ireland final to Galway. After winning Leinster, Kildare captain Glenn Ryan referred to him as a 'God.'
They returned to lift another Leinster crown in 2000, and O'Dwyer won another Leinster with Laois in 2003.
O'Dwyer managed Laois from 2003 to 2006 before taking over Wicklow, from 2006 to 2011. He enjoyed more big wins with Wicklow, particularly when lifting the Tommy Murphy Cup in 2007 before beating Kildare the following year in what was another famous win.
16 June 2002; Kildare manager Mick O'Dwyer during the Bank of Ireland Leinster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final match between Kildare and Offaly at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Clare were the last county he managed in 2013. An Taoiseach Micheal Martin led the tributes to O'Dwyer, saying: Micko lived and breathed Gaelic football. He embodied everything good about the game - dedication, ambition, positivity and community.
Former Kerry manager and player Eamon Fitzmaurice also paid a heartfelt tribute in a column on the Irish Examiner.
"I always immediately relaxed in his company," wrote Fitzmaurice.
"He was such fun. Witty and confident. And that laugh.
"His husky laugh was infectious. He had a great habit of laughing at himself, which I found hilarious. The two of us would be in stitches laughing at something he said."
"I had a marvellous run, but wasn't I lucky to be born in Kerry?" - @MartyMofficial looks back on the remarkable life of the great Mick O'Dwyer, who has died aged 88. #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/h9PVhDYOWi
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 3, 2025
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. pic.twitter.com/yZ1aCmqBXY— Official Wicklow GAA (@wicklowgaa) April 3, 2025
Micko's speech in the Galway dressing room after losing '98 All-Ireland
Throwback: Micko's speech after Galway's win in '98. Pure class from start to finish. #galway #gaa pic.twitter.com/Mukzu4KGjM
— Gerard O'Connor (@GerardOC2022) July 26, 2024
Glenn Ryan's brilliant speech after winning Leinster in 1998
Maybe Glenn Ryan said it best.
'Micko, you're a god.'pic.twitter.com/2GjwfaqFxh
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 3, 2025
