JACK O’Connor’s kind gesture to Mick O’Dwyer after the 2022 All-Ireland final has been remembered following the latter’s death.
That year saw Kerry regain Sam Maguire for the first time 2014 after a thrilling decider versus Galway.
Balls.ie dug out this wonderful image from that summer[/caption]
Fittingly, O’Connor took the trophy down to O’Dwyer’s home.
It gave the man who’d delivered more times than any manager in the history of Gaelic football, one last chance to have close-up look at the iconic silverware.
The 88-year-old’s death has triggered tributes nationwide from sporting figures and beyond.
An Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “I am deeply saddened at the passing of Mick O’Dwyer – an icon of Gaelic Games.
“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, 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.
“After the Kingdom, Micko had further success as a manager, leading Kildare and Laois to Leinster titles and guiding Wicklow to a Tommy Murphy Cup win.
“The Waterville man’s intercounty career lasted well into his seventies, until he retired as Clare manager in 2014 at the age of 77.
“Despite his many, many sporting achievements, Micko remained humble. In RTE’s 2018 documentary on his life, Micko famously said: “I had a marvellous run, but wasn’t I lucky to be born in Kerry.”
“Kerry, and all of us, were lucky to have him.
“My deepest sympathies to all his family and the entire GAA community.
“Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a anam. Leaba i measc na Naomh go raibh aige.”
MARTY’S MEMORIES
Veteran RTE GAA reporter Marty Morrissey has also penned a lengthy tribute to “Micko”.
He lays out the lifelong passion for Gaelic football which went on to spark a 57-year career between playing and coaching at the elite level.
Morrissey hails: “A hotelier and mechanic by profession, his love of football simply consumed him from an early age.
“At 17, he played for the Kerry minors, losing in the All-Ireland MFC final.
“He subsequently made his debut for the Kerry seniors in the National Football League in the 1956/57 season.
“As a Kerry footballer he won four All-Ireland medals in 1959, 1962, 1969, and 1970; 12 Munster Championships, including eight in a row; and eight National Football Leagues titles.
“He retired in 1974 but a year later transferred from being a inter-county footballer to become the new Kerry boss.
“So began an incredible career as an inter-county manager. Indeed, he emerged as one of the greatest football managers of all time.”
Morrissey eventually concludes on a personal note, adding: “He was unique.
“His legacy and achievements will last forever. His contribution to the counties he coached will never be forgotten.
“A sign of the man was the fact his last management role was at the helm of the Waterville Under-14 football team.
“Mick O’Dwyer was 88 years of age. A true GAA legend. Rest in peace my friend.”
