President leads tributes to GAA legend Mick O’Dwyer

The President of Ireland has led tributes to Mick O’Dwyer after his death at the age of 88.

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 Micheál 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