For a man who cherished the simplicity of life in a remote part of Kerry, Mick O Dwyer still emerged as one of the most influential figures in GAA history. A native of Waterville in south Kerry, O’Dwyer carved out a playing and managerial career in Gaelic football that will probably never be equalled. As well as all the All Ireland football titles he won, both on the field and on the sideline for Kerry, he went on to bring success to three less-celebrated counties – Kildare, Laois and Wicklow.
All through his career, O’Dwyer defied the odds and challenged convention. From his first senior appearance for Kerry in 1954 to his last in the famous green and gold jersey in 1974, O’Dwyer battled serious injuries that almost prematurely ended his playing days. After making the remarkable switch from playing as a defender to lining out as a corner forward in the latter part of his inter-county career, O’Dwyer was ideally placed to take up the mantle as Kerry manager in 1975.
That ground-breaking year started his great managerial rivalry with Dublin’s Kevin Heffernan. Taking a young Kerry team to Croke Park to face the reigning All Ireland champions didn’t faze the 38-year-old O’Dwyer in the slightest and their victory provided the impetus for a golden era in Gaelic football. O’Dwyer went on to lead Kerry to eight All Ireland wins over a 12-year period although his great ambition to win the cherished five-in-row was thwarted by a last-minute goal for Offaly in the 1982 final.
That crushing setback derailed Kerry for a few years but O’Dwyer’s prowess as a brilliant man manager and tactician led to three more Sam Maguire successes between 1984 and 1986.
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Never afraid of pushing boundaries, O’Dwyer felt that the GAA authorities saw him as a radical who challenged their rules on sponsorship and commercialism. That individual streak could probably be traced back to his childhood roots in south Kerry. Despite all his achievements, it was fitting, therefore, that his last success should have been where it all began, managing an under-14 Waterville side to a a league title at the age of 79.
