Freedom of the city for Heffernan

The Freedom of the City of Dublin was conferred on legendary GAA figure Kevin Heffernan by the Lord Mayor, Mr Royston Brady, last night.

The honour - which allows the recipient to bring goods through the city gates without paying duties and to graze sheep on St Stephen's Green - was in recognition of the Dublin manager who created the equally legendary Heffo's army.

Mr Heffernan who was accompanied to the Mansion House by his wife Mary and daughter Orla as well as his extended family and former colleagues, said he was "very chuffed". He was not, however, very sure what exactly were the entitlements of a Freeman of the City of Dublin.

"I know when you are dead they fly the flags at half mast" he said thoughtfully, before adding that he could also graze sheep on St Stephen's Green . . . but I don't have any". Nevertheless he said he was "delighted to accept the honour" and agreed with reporters that the Mansion House was not exactly a stranger to him. "There were many celebratory occasions" he smiled.

Mr Heffernan who is credited with influencing the success of successive Dublin football teams for more than four decades has been player, captain, manager, selector who put together extraordinary teams and changed the face of the game.

As a player he captained the Dublin team of 1958 which which won the first All-Ireland for Dublin since 1942. As manager he took Dublin from relative obscurity and led his team to six successive All-Ireland finals in the 1970s, winning a first All-Ireland in 11 years for Dublin in 1974.

He shocked supporters by retiring after another All-Ireland win in 1976 but was back again in 1978 to take Dublin to two further Leinster titles, making it six in-a-row. He managed another successful All-Ireland campaign in 1983 and led the International Rules team to glory in Australia in 1986. He is currently active in St Vincent's GAA Club in Dublin and last year brought the Under-15 hurlers to the county championship.

Speaking at the conferring of the Freedom of the City last night the Lord Mayor described Mr Heffernan as a "sporting hero" whose contribution was unique.

"On a personal level I regard it as an honour to pay tribute to Kevin Heffernan. Growing up as I did just a stone's throw from Croke Park, the events there and the performance of the players had an enormous impact on my life as it did, and still does, on families throughout our city."