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O’Dwyer, who hailed from the village of Waterville in Co Kerry, won four All-Ireland titles with his beloved county as a player between 1959 and 1970 and an unrivalled eight as a manager in the 1970s and 1980s. He would also go on to coach Kildare, Laois, Wicklow and Clare. Known as Micko, O’Dwyer was inducted into the GAA Hall of Fame in 2014.
President Michael D Higgins hailed O’Dwyer’s legacy. “Mick O’Dwyer will be remembered as one of the greatest figures ever to be associated with Gaelic games,” he said. “Micko, as he was affectionately known to all, was deservingly inducted into the GAA Hall of Fame in 2014.
“As both a player, and in particular as a manager, he was astonishingly successful. “The Kerry team which he led to eight All-Ireland titles was one of the finest that Gaelic football has ever seen. “Beyond his native Kerry, Mick will be warmly remembered by the people of Kildare, Laois and Wicklow for the success which he subsequently brought to their counties, as well as for his contribution to Clare.
“May I express my deepest sympathies to Mick’s family, teammates, former players, and all of his many friends.” Taoiseach Micheal Martin described O’Dwyer as an “icon” of the GAA. “Micko lived and breathed Gaelic football,” he said in a statement.
“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.” Mr Martin added: “Kerry, and all of us, were lucky to have him.
“My deepest sympathies to all his family and the entire GAA community.” Tanaiste Simon Harris said O’Dwyer was one of the GAA’s greatest figures. “Mick’s contribution to Irish sport and community life was extraordinary, particularly in his native county of Kerry,” he said.
“I met Mick on a number of occasions when he managed the Wicklow senior Gaelic football team. “I was always struck by his warmth and kindness, his great sense of leadership and his ability to get the best out of young athletes. “Mick leaves a void behind that will be incredibly difficult to fill.
” GAA president Jarlath Burns said O’Dwyer had an extraordinary, success-laden career as a player and manager. “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 said. “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.” He added: “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 cherished, and we will be forever thankful that he was one of our own.”.
