One foreign kingdom must fall

Two Kerrymen. It's tempting to call them master and pupil, but Páidí Ó Sé is too much his own self for that. Two Kerrymen far from home.

O'Dwyer the peripatetic Prospero still wandering in search of more satisfaction more insight, more wisdom.

Ó Sé who woke up in Westmeath seemingly heartsore and rebounding from Kerry. Tomorrow they collide on the sideline of a unique Leinster final.

Laois v Westmeath.

Few could have imagined it.

Only two Kerrymen could have made it happen.

Both came to Leinster to take over counties where the well of underage talent had seemingly provided plenty, but the arid record of senior failure had been too much to overcome. They brought not just their CVs, but an infectious belief in a team's right to win.

For O'Dwyer - who took over in the winter of 2002/'03 - the results were almost instant. Dissolute young players recanted the error of their ways and fell into line for the legendary sessions, 30 nights in a row sometimes.

In Westmeath a year later, Ó Sé seemed at first distracted and lovelorn and not quite sure how he'd gotten there. In pulling out a win against Dublin last month, though, he changed the mindset of an entire county.

Back in February 1975, when Mick O'Dwyer stepped in to help Johnny Culloty with the Kerry county side, Ó Sé was already half formed as a legend.

He was part of a golden generation of Kerry talent which had been bubbling up under for some years. Five under-21 final appearances, four National Leagues. They were waiting to explode. O'Dwyer was the touch-fuse.

Nobody gave more than Ó Sé and when it ended for him in 1989 he was hurt and bitter, his rage radiating out from west Kerry and burning O'Dwyer's ears on the training ground in Killarney. O'Dwyer would have expected nothing less. Players who passed gently into the dark night were never his cup of tea.

The breach soon healed. Ó Sé went into management with west Kerry, with UCC and with Kerry underage teams. The more he saw the more he appreciated the O'Dwyer he knew.

For both men their time in charge of Kerry ended unsatisfactorily and there is a residue of hurt there.

Whoever wins tomorrow will cast a backward glance towards home and hope that the Kingdom is watching and wondering.

One thing is for sure.

Whoever wins, there'll be no running off at the mouth.

Born

69 years ago. Creationists believe he wasn't so much born as invented to go with game of football which itself was devised on seventh day. Darwinians believe he evolved from a football.

First Words

Wasn't that a great spectacle, a wonderful game, high fielding - all the great things about football

Playing

10 AIl-Ireland finals (5 winners medals)

10 league finals (8 winners medals), 7 Railway Cups

Motivation

"I always loved the great tradition of classical Kerry football."

Managing

8 All-Ireland wins, Kerry in 10 finals. 7 League wins, 4 under-21 finals, 1 minor (Kerry 1975-'89). 1 league win with Kildare, 1 All-Ireland final appearance with Kildare. (Kildare 1990-'93, '95-'99). Another 7 Railway Cups as manager. 1 league final with Laois (Laois 2003-).

The Legend

As player and manager has been involved in 59 national finals.

Close Shave

After the 1977 All-Ireland semi-final defeat critics in Kerry launched a coup. It failed. Dublin have always felt the failure of the coups cost them another All-Ireland or two.

Media Distinction

Critical ability to speak at length without saying anything. Suffocates rival teams with flattery.

King of the Road

Waterville - Killarney, 102 miles round trip

Waterville - Newbridge, 424 miles round trip

Waterville - Portlaoise, 400 miles round trip

Micko on Páidí

"He was like a caged lion shouting and running up the walls and jumping - he'd hit the ceiling. He'd be on one side of the room and the quieter lads would be on the other. But what a motivator. What a player."

On Management

I can assure you that there's no magic formula I keep going because football is my life.

Look Back in Anger

I've been available since 1988, but nobody has ever called.

Disappointments

Losing four in a row. Kildare's All-Ireland loss. Not being asked to manage Ireland

Vices

Occasional knife slipped into heart of GAA on issues such as amateurism.

Virtues

Teetotal.

Will be Remembered For

Enduring passion. Evangelistic spirit

A record that will never be broken.

Title of Autobiography

Micko

On the Headstone

Wasn't it great?

Born

Almost certainly. Big-bang theorists believe Pio first appeared intact 51 years ago. He hasn't changed his hairstyle since, apart from tampering with the fringe.

First Words

Yerra, not today lads. We're not saying anything today.

Playing

8 All Ireland medals. 10 All-Ireland finals in Croke Park. Conceded one point to direct marker

Motivation

"Is this the day a fella gets 2-6 off me?"

Managing

2 All-Irelands with Kerry. 6 Munster titles.

1 league title. 2 Under-21

(Kerry 1995-2003)

The Legend

Travel to Ventry. Go to his pub. Relax. Wait. You'll understand.

Close Shave

After the 2001 mauling at the hands of Meath, a posse was set up. Ó Sé survived.

Media Distinction

Shyest man to boast simultaneous acquaintance with Tom Cruise, Dolly

Parton and CJ Haughey.

Tends to be more controversial when speaking as Gaeilge.

King of the Road

Ventry - Killarney, 70 miles round trip

Ventry - Mullingar, 398 miles round trip

Páidí on Micko

"Genius. If anyone else had been in charge of Kildare today, we would have won by seven or eight points (after the 1998 All-Ireland semi-final).

On Management

It's better as a player, but when you are 44 and two stone overweight and going slow, winning one as a manager isn't bad.

Look Back in Anger

After 33 years of service to Kerry I didn't want a bunch of roses but I can tell you something, it is up to the people of Kerry to find out how my service was terminated.

Disappointments

Managing UCC to defeat v Athlone RTC

Vices

A paranoia which blankets his natural exuberance.

Virtues

Not always being teetotal.

Will Be Remember For

Passion and colour

Dropping Maurice Fitz.

That "f_____ animals" business.

Title of Autobiography

Páidí

On the Headstone

Not today lads, not today.