All involved with Munster GAA were deeply saddened to learn of the passing Kerry’s Mick O’Dwyer on Thursday April 3rd 2025.
Born in Waterville in 1936, O’Dwyer first lined out for the Kingdom at Minor and Junior level before making his Senior debut in 1957. When he retired as a player in 1972, Mick had won 12 Munster Senior and 4 All-Ireland Senior Football medals as well as 7 National Football League titles. At club level, Mick won 3 County Championships with South Kerry and 8 South Kerry Championships with Waterville.
Not content with an outstanding playing career, O’Dwyer went on to become one of the most successful managers in any sport. Beginning in 1975, Kerry won 3 All-Ireland Under 21 titles in a row in addition to winning 11 Munster Senior and 8 All-Ireland Senior Football titles between 1975 and 1987. O’Dwyer’s managerial skills extended beyond Kerry’s borders in later years with stints in Kildare, Laois, Wicklow and Clare, picking up 3 Leinster Senior Football titles with Kildare (2) and Laois.
Munster GAA Chairman Tim Murphy said “Mick will go down as one of a kind in the history of Gaelic Games. After an outstanding playing career which yielded 4 All-Ireland medals, its as an outstanding manager which Mick O’Dwyer will be most fondly remembered for. During a managerial career spanning almost 40 years at inter-county level, O’Dwyer won 13 Senior Provincial and 8 Senior All-Ireland Football titles. But it is his time managing his native county during what is remembered affectionately as “Kerry’s Golden Years” and the keen rivalry with Kevin Heffernan’s Dublin which will go down as arguably his greatest achievement. On behalf of Munster GAA, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife Geraldine and sons John, Robbie and Karl along with his wide circle of family and friends.”
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”
Is oth le gach éinne bainteach le CLG na Mumhan cloisint faoi bhás Mick O’Dwyer as Ciarraí, Déardaoin an 3 Aibreán 2025.
Rugadh O’Dwyer sa Choireán sa bhliain 1936. D’imir sé don Ríocht ag leibhéal na Mionúr agus na Sóisearach & ina dhiaidh sin, d’imir sé a chéad chluiche Sinsear sa bhliain 1957. Nuair a chríochnaigh mar imreoir in 1972, bhí 12 bhonn Peile Sinsear na Mumhan agus 4 bhonn Peile Sinsear na hÉireann buaite ag Mick, chomh maith le 7 dteideal sa tSraith Náisiúnta Peile. Ag leibhéal an chlub, bhuaigh Mick 3 Chraobh Contae le Ciarraí Theas agus 8 gCraobhchomórtas Chiarraí Theas le CLG an Choireáin.
Gan a bheith sásta le ré iontach mar imreoir, lean O’Dwyer air & bhí sé mar cheann de na bainisteoirí is rathúla in aon spórt. Ag tosú in 1975, bhuaigh Ciarraí 3 chraobh Uile-Éireann Faoi 21 as a chéile chomh maith le 11 Chraobh Sinsear na Mumhan agus 8 gCraobh Sinsear Uile – Éireann idir 1975 agus 1987. Leathnaigh scileanna bainistíochta O’Dwyer thar theorainneacha Chiarraí sna blianta ina dhiaidh sin le tréimhsí i gCill Dara, Laois, Cill Mhantáin agus an Clár, ag buachaint 3 theideal Peile Sinsear Laighean le Cill Dara (2) agus Laois.
Dúirt Cathaoirleach CLG na Mumhan, Tadhg Ó Murchú, “Cuimhneofar ar Mick mar dhuine thar dhaoine i stair na gCluichí Gaelacha. Tar éis tréimhse imeartha den scoth a bhain 4 bhonn Uile-Éireann amach, ba bhainisteoir den scoth é Mick O’Dwyer a thabharfar an-chuimhne air. Le linn tréimhse bainistíochta a mhair beagnach 40 bliain ag an leibhéal idirchontae, bhuaigh O’Dwyer 13 chraobh Sinsear Cúige agus 8 gcraobh Sinsear Peile Uile-Éireann. Ach is é an tréimhse a bhí aige lena chontae dúchais mar bhainisteoir le linn “Ré Órga Chiarraí” mar a thugtar air go ceanúil agus an iomaíocht ghéar le Baile Átha Cliath & Kevin Heffernan an t-éacht ba mhó a rinne sé is dócha. Thar ceann CLG na Mumhan, déanaimid comhbhrón ó chroí lena bhean chéile Geraldine agus lena chlann John, Robbie agus Karl chomh maith lena chiorcal leathan teaghlaigh agus cairde.”
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
