19 hours Ago By David Hurley
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin is leading the tributes to the legendary GAA figure Mick O'Dwyer who has died at the age of 88. One of Gaelic football’s most successful players and an iconic manager, the Kerry native was a larger-than-life figure within GAA circles for nearly 60 years. He won four All-Ireland titles as a player with Kerry before later guiding the Kingdom to eight titles during the 1970s and 1980s.
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. READ ALSO: Catfishing could be become criminal offence under proposed law Having stepped away from his role as Kerry manager in 1989, Mick O'Dwyer went on to manage Kildare, Laois, Wicklow and Clare.
He won two Leinster championships with Kildare and guided them to an All-Ireland final in 1998, where they narrowly lost to Galway. In 2003, he led Laois to only their second-ever provincial title. 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. May he rest in peace.
