Dublin stalwart Brian Mullins dies aged 68

The death has been announced of the legendary Dublin GAA star Brian Mullins at the age of 67.

From the famed St Vincent's club, Mullins starred at midfield, as the Dubs under the astute guidance of Kevin Heffernan, emerged from nowhere to land a senior All-Ireland title in 1974. The victory over Galway was the first of six consecutive final appearances, with Mullins tasting further success in 1976 and 1977 - a period in which the Dublin-Kerry rivalry captured the public imagination.

A serious car accident in 1980 nearly ended his playing career but he recovered to again play a prominent part in a new Dublin team that Heffernan would assemble. A fourth All-Ireland medal came Mullins' way in 1983, in that now infamous decider against Galway - a match where he and two other Dublin players were given their marching orders.

Mullins retired from inter-county football in 1985, with nine Leinster wins and two league successes to go alongside the quartet of Sam Maguire wins. He was twice named an All-Star.

The highlight in a near two-decade involvement as a player with St Vincent's came in 1976 when Roscommon Gaels were put to the sword in the All-Ireland final.

As a coach, Mullins spent the 1986 season as caretaker manager of the Dubs, a year where they relinquished their Leinster crown to an emerging Meath side.

A teacher by profession, Mullins took up a post as principal of Carndonagh Community School in Co Donegal. From that base, he got involved with Derry and guided the county to an NFL title in 1996, before Ulster glory came in 1998, the Oakleafers' last title before this year's success.

In 2000, he returned the capital where he took on the role as Director of Sport at UCD, overseeing a number of scholarship schemes that the