Touching Kildare tributes pour in for Micko

Tributes, from far and wide, have been pouring in following the announcement of the death this morning of the great Kerry player and manager, Mick O'Dwyer.

In nearly 60 years involved in the game O'Dwyer practically changed the face of Gealic football.

He won four All-Irelands as a player and a further eight as manager, along with 23 Munster titles, 11 National Leagues.

Having been appointed Kildare senior football manager, Micko arrived in Kildare in 1990 and was met by a packed attendance at the Kildare SFC final of that year when Naas defeated Clane; a game described by the Kerry native “as a good a county final as I have seen.”

He went on to lead The Lilies to the National League final of 1991, losing out to Dublin; before losing to Louth in a major shock in the opening round of the Leinster Championship that year.

Micko led The Lilies to two Leinster finals in his first term with The Lilies, losing both to Dublin, before departing the Shortgrass county only return two years later in 1997.

1998 is a year that will live long in the memory of Kildare players and fans.

Kildare took the Leinster title for the first time since 1956, defeating Meath in the final.

Going on to reach the All-Ireland final, after beating the three previous All-Ireland winners, Dublin and Kerry (along with Meath) but alas Galway came out on top on that September Sunday.

Two years later Kildare regained the Leinster title, defeating Dublin (after a replay) but again Galway stood in their way in the semi-final and duly won.

In 2002 another Leinster final and it was The Dubs who emerged victorious, it proved to be Mick's last game for the boys in white.

The great man then liked up with Laois and incredibly led them to a Leinster senior title in his first year, ironically against Kildare, while he also steered Wicklow to the last sixteen in the All-Ireland series, as well as managing Clare.

Former Kildare captain, Glenn Ryan, has paid tribute to Micko on Kfm this morning along with Johnny Doyle, both recalling the great days they enjoyed, the craic, the banter, the successes and the heartbreaks, under his time in charge.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, President Michael D Higgins, Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA, have all paid tributes to the Kerry native.

The world of GAA is in mourning today.

Condolences to all O'Dwyer family on their loss today.

May Micko Rest In Peace.