Fitting farewell to the man from Waterville as Mick O’Dwyer laid to rest

As a lone piper played the last strains of Amhrán na bhfiann, there came the familiar roar of ‘Up Kerry’, but for the first time ever, legendary Gaelic footballer and manager Mick O’Dwyer did not get the chance to savour it.For instead of pacing the sidelines of a football pitch or looking on from the stands of Dublin’s Croke Park, just minutes earlier the 88-year-old had been laid to rest in the small country graveyard next to his local church in Kerry.And by then a Who’s Who of the good and the great had already paid tribute to the Waterville man, who went on to become one of the country’s most successful ever sportsmen.

Pic: Noel Sweeney/PA Wire/PA ImagesThey included Taoiseach Micheál Martin, RTÉ Gaelic sports presenter Marty Morrissey, as well as prominent Cork businessman Michael O’Flynn. But fittingly, it was two lifelong friends who had the final say. Husband and wife, Paddy and Rose Fogarty.



And so it was, as the sun peeped through the clouds, all that could be heard was a recording of the voice of the late Rose, giving her own unique and rousing rendition of The Man from Waterville.Penned by a Laois man, the song eulogises O’Dwyer’s sporting achievements on the field of play. And yesterday the song was heard once again to the delight of the hundreds who gathered to say their final farewells to the man they hailed ‘King of the Kingdom’.

Mick O’Dwyer in 2009. Pic: Brian Lawless/SPORTSFILEAfter the CD was played, Paddy then pulled on the well-worn straps of his beloved accordion to play the song Mick O’Dwyer’s Young Men.With his head bent low over his accordion, Paddy’s fingers then found the notes for a medley of lively polkas.

These were the tunes he and the sports man happily played together many times over the years.There may not have been many tears shed, but for all that, the words and much-loved tunes were no less emotional.Pic: Noel Sweeney/PA Wire/PA ImagesFor these were the ties that binded the pair of lifelong pals as they travelled a lengthy road of friendship together.

So it was appropriate they were played before Paddy and Micko went their separate ways for one final time.Earlier, RTÉ commentator Marty Morrissey spoke about his love for the legendary GAA footballer and manager. He addressed his late friend in front of a crowd of hundreds gathered at St Finian’s church in Waterville: ‘You always said how lucky you were to be born in the Kingdom and I would say how lucky we were just to know you.

It’s that simple really.‘You [Micko] got people to believe dreams can come true and that anything is possible. Thank you for being you.

you were my great friend Micko and I want to say here how much I loved you. The iconic Mick O’Dwyer, unique, we’ll never see the like of him again. You legend Mick O’Dwyer, rest in peace.

’ Pic: Brendan Moran/SportsfileAccording to Mr Morrissey, he had been surprised to be asked by the O’Dwyer family to give a personal tribute to the GAA man.Speaking shortly after arriving at the Kerry church, Marty told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘I just got a phone call asking me would I do it. I was surprised and I am deeply honoured.

’Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Gaelic footballer and manager had not only lifted the spirits of the nation when times were hard, but he had changed how Gaelic football was played.Pic: Liam McBurney/PA WireWhen he arrived at the church for yesterday’s funeral the Fianna Fáil leader explained: ‘Micko and Kevin Heffernan (the former Dublin footballer manager in the 1970s) really changed the nature of Gaelic football. He was an iconic figure and it was a watershed period.

‘He brought Gaelic football into a different age. He lifted our spirits. He lifted the spirits of the nation during times when things were not as good economically and that’s the beauty of sport.

’Local parish priest Fr Sean Jones was assisted by five other priests at yesterday’s Mass.Pic: Noel Sweeney/PA WireAnd in a eulogy delivered by Cork developer Michael O’Flynn, the late legendary Gaelic footballer and manager was described as a family man.And the businessman also paid tribute to what he described as the Kerryman’s ‘ability to inspire’.

Mr O’Flynn explained: ‘Mick O’Dwyer’s career as a footballer is the stuff of legends.‘His greatest impact perhaps was his ability to inspire and to bring out the best in those around him, that set him apart.Pic: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE‘His strategic genius paired with his standing in the game helped shape the careers of players who went onto become legends themselves.

He had an innate ability to spot talent and nurture it.‘While Mick’s success on the field was extraordinary, it is his character off the field that we remember most. He always made time for people no matter how busy his life was.

He made you feel valued, heard and supported.‘He was deeply proud of his four sons. He always did his absolute best for all of his family.

’ ‘You will always be the king’ — Marty Morrissey delivers emotional tribute as Mick O’Dwyer laid to rest As hundreds of mourners lingered at the graveside swapping stories and memories of the man, one local woman captured how many felt. She said: ‘A sad day but a great day’. Indeed it was.

Micko O’Dwyer is survived by his wife Geraldine, his sons Karl, Robert and John, and step daughter Emma. He was predeceased by his first wife Mary Carmel and his son Michael..