IT’S STILL ABOUT FOOTBALL AS MICKO HITS 80

GAA STARS GATHER IN WATERVILLE TO CELEBRATE WITH MICK O’DWYER

WHILE our neighbours across the pond were busy celebrating the Queen’s nineteenth birthday last weekend, here in the Kingdom it was all about ‘ the King’ as mighty Micko turned 80 and was honoured in the best possible fashion – by people coming together to play and chat about football. Micko’s life has always been about reaching important milestones and turning 80 in the company of family, friends and well-wishers in his beloved Waterville, must surely rank as yet another spectacular achievement.

Described this week as the “GAA’s Muhammad Ali”, celebrations got underway on Friday evening as a sprinkling of Kerry, Wicklow, Laois and Kildare legends dusted down their boots and crossed the white line in homage to the Waterville maestro. Men like Dermot Early, Glen Ryan, Billy Sheehan, Johnny Doyle, Maurice Fitzgerald, Tom Spillane, Seamus Moynihan and Dara O Sé, to name but a few, rekindled the battles of old before an appreciative audience at Waterville GAA grounds.

On Saturday, The Mick O’ Dwyer Perpetual Trophy Tournament was the main attraction as teams from Kerry, Cork, and Kildare competed for the coveted accolade. In the end, it went to the home side and no way were Waterville allowing this particular trophy to leave the village boundary. An underage tournament and a Ladies challenge match also featured as part of a special weekend.

Micko’s football career extents across seven decades, as player and manager, and Kerry legend, Maurice Fitzgerald, described the weekend as a joint celebration of Micko’s 80th birthday and football.

“For me growing up listening to stories about men like Micko was a great source of inspiration. This weekend celebrated a milestone in Micko’s life, turning 80, and also as an icon of Kerry sport; a man who brought so many days of pleasure to so many people in many counties,” Maurice said.

The St Mary’s star added how Micko’s playing career was often overshadowed by his managerial exploits and that his ability to extend the Midas touch beyond Kerry’s borders make O’Dwyer the best there is in the game.

“We often overlook Micko the player and his record is outstanding as a player for club and county. His success as manager in Kerry stands out, but to go to places like Kildare and bring them to within a whisker of an All-Ireland and to win a Leinster title with Laois is a level of success that we can all appreciate,” concluded Maurice.

Rest Of Ireland Team: Front Row (from left) mascot, players Tom Kelly, Paddy Dalton, Kieran Moran, Eddie McCormack, Ian Fitzgerald second mascot. Back Row: Martin Lynch, Johnny Doyle, Christy Byrne, Fergal Byron, Glen Ryan, Ronan Quinn, Dermot Early,...

Photo by Christy Riordan Kerry selection: Front Row (from left) Declan O’Sullivan, Maurice Fitzgerald (captain), Adrian O’Connell, Denis O’Dwyer, Peter O’Leary, JB O’Shea, Brian Hickey, Denis Shine O’Sullivan and Seamus Moynihan. Back Row: Barry...

Legends footballer Matt O’Connor with the legend game officials. Front row (from left) Mike Shea Matt O’Connor Brian O Shea. Back Row L/R John Galvin Paul O’Sullivan and Paddy O’Sullivan

Referee Paul O’Sullivan with Anthony Rainbow & Maurice Fitzgerald toss of coin before the legends game

Photos by Christy Riordan Micko with L/R Eugene Dennehy & Brother Michael who flew in from America to celebrate with Micko.

Left: Micko with super-fan Kathleen O’Sullivan and (above) with Colm Kelly