Thanks for the memories Micko
Sports editor Tommy Callaghan looks back on the influence of the legendary manager and his legacy in Kildare
Few could have envisaged on Thursday, April 3 2025, we would wake up to hear, not the infamous tarriffs being proposed by US President Donald Trump, but to the sad news that the great Mick O’Dwyer had passed away down in his beloved Kerry.
Needless to say tributes, poured in from far and wide for probably the most iconic GAA figure ever known. And the mind takes a ramble; back to 1990; the venue, St Conleth’s Park; the occasion the Kildare SFC final, participants, Naas and Clane; yet this was a county final with a difference.
On a scorching hot summer’s afternoon, a jam packed St Conleth’s awaited the arrival of Kildare’s new senior football
manager. And to a standing ovation Mick O’Dwyer made his entrance, accompanied by Naas man, Dan Ryan, a member of the last Kildare team that lifted the Sam Maguire, 1928.
It was the start of a journey, a two-part journey. In that first year Kildare, operating in Division 2, gained promotion, advanced to the final only to lose out to Dublin to a late goal.
It was the first of close run games in Micko’s first term that included two Leinster final appearances.
Off Micko went in 1994 only to return three years later, going on to win Leinster in 1998 and 2000 and of course going all
the way to All-Ireland final in ‘98.
What a year. What an occasion. What memories. Yes we lost out to Galway in the final but
it was a year that every Kildare fan will remember for the rest of their lives. The hype was incredible.
Many are still of the opinion that the hype got to Kildare, something I never agreed with I have to say.
Micko’s achievements are well-known and well-documented and while his exploits with Kerry will live, and will be
relived for as long as Gaelic football is played, his successes in Kildare, in Laois and in Wicklow are a testament to his
prowess as a manager; in many respects success in these counties could be looked upon as even greater achievements than
what he achieved in Kerry.
In Kildare Micko ended a barren spell of 42 years; in Laois Micko ended a barren spell of 53 years; both have won nothing
since.
That says it all. Without Micko Kildare and Laois would still be seeking to bridge gaps of a
combined total of 95 years.
Many is the hour we spent chatting football with Micko, time meant nothing to him when football was top of the agenda, he simply loved it.
An incredible player, manager and a gentleman.