LEGENDARY FORMER KERRY footballer and manager Mick O’Dwyer was remembered as “the king of the Kingdom” during his funeral in Waterville, Co Kerry this morning.

O’Dwyer, commonly known as ‘Micko’, passed away in Kenmare Community Hospital on Thursday at the age of 88.

The iconic GAA figure won four All-Ireland football titles as a player and eight further titles as Kerry manager, serving as the county’s longest-serving bainisteoir.

He also managed Kildare and Laois to Leinster titles, and spent time with Wicklow and Clare before retiring.

During a funeral mass attended by large crowds at St Finian’s Church in Waterville, Co Kerry, Parish Priest Fr Seán Jones said that it was “a sad day” for the local community and “indeed for all who have come to know Micko in life”. 

Mourners at St Finian's Church in Waterville, Co Kerry. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

O’Dwyer “made such an impact”, Jones said, adding the former football manager “became the very fabric of our lives growing up.”

Jones added that the “fruits of Micko’s missionary work” of spreading the gospel of the GAA were evident in the hundreds of children in attendance at his funeral service.

“These young players, who are now young ambassadors in our parish, are giving our younger players the inspiration that was instilled in them, spreading the gospel of the game to countless generations to come,” Jones said.

Cavan singer Kathy Durkin provided music during the ceremony, and GAA commentator Marty Morrissey read an emotional reflection after the communion, describing O’Dwyer as the “king of the Kingdom”.

“You got people to believe that dreams can come true, that anything is possible,” Morrissey said, describing O’Dwyer’s accomplishments with Kildare and Wicklow.

The eulogy was delivered by Micko’s good friend, Michael O’Flynn, who described him as “a giant both on and off the field.”

“Micko’s loyalty was unmatched, to his players, his friends, his community and his family. He always had time to people. Many of us here today can testify to Micko’s generosity, his kindness and his unwavering loyalty as a friend,” O’Flynn said.

“Micko was a matter of fact type of man and like many of his generation, he might not have been great at expressing his feelings. He was deeply proud of his four sons. Those who knew Micko would recognise that his late wife Carmel was the unwavering strength in his life; a remarkable wife, mother and businesswoman. Micko had a great love for his family.”

“We will miss you, we will always carry your spirit with us. Rest in peace, Michael, and thank you for all you have done,” he concluded.

Among those in attendance were Taoiseach Micheál Martin and GAA President Jarlath Burns.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin at St Finian's Church today. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Taoiseach Micheál Martin led tributes to O’Dwyer on Thursday, describing him “as an icon of Gaelic Games”.

“Micko lived and breathed Gaelic football. He embodied everything good about the game – dedication, ambition, positivity and community,” Martin said.

“Kerry, and all of us, were lucky to have him. His sporting legacy is unmatched.”

GAA President Jarlath Burns said that O’Dwyer was “quite simply, the man with the Midas touch”.

Burns praised the “charismatic, clever and a shrewd judge of character”, hailing his achievements in the sport as “magic”.

President Michael D Higgins similarly described O’Dwyer as “one of the greatest figures ever to be associated with Gaelic Games”.