Micko honoured to help support his home club

HE is one Kerry man that deserves to be honoured and Mick O’Dwyer received just honours last weekend with a special tribute to the man who is one of Kerry’s greatest footballers.

An entire weekend was dedicated to bringing together friends and family of the Waterville man to not only remember his glory days but to ensure that glory days will continue in Waterville GAA, his home club, with the redevelopment of their local GAA pitch with the funds raised from the Micko tribute weekend.

The weekend kicked off with a gala dinner at the INEC on Friday which was attended by 650 people.

MC for the gala black-tie affair was RTE’s Darragh Moloney who led tributes to the 82-year old. Among the speakers was Waterville senior team manager, Eanna De Buis and captain Barry O’Dwyer as well as club stalwart Darby Clifford and Micko’s son, Karl. Well known Kerry GAA commentator, Pat Spillane, also praised the Waterville legend.

Videos from friends and family in the local community were also shown amid a great night of entertainment which brought together people from across the county. His club’s history was also recalled. The Micko celebrations continued on the golf courses of Waterville on Saturday and Sunday and finished on Sunday evening with a gala night at the Sea Lodge where many of Kerry’s greatest ever players joined Mick O’Dwyer’s family and friends. Among them was Mikey Sheehy, Eoin Liston, Ger Power and Sean Walsh along with Kieran Donaghy and David Moran.

Work has begun on the pitch redevelopment and senior manager, Eanna De Buis, said the funds are vital for the future of the club.

“We don’t know what was raised but works will cost more than €250,000. We are redeveloping the pitch and also developing a running track for the community,” he said.

All photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin. LEFT: Mick O’Dwyer with his grandson Pierce and sons John (back from left) Karl, Robbie and Haulie at the Mick O’Dwyer and Waterville GAA ‘A Celebration’ in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Michael McCarthy with Noel Power at the Mick O’Dwyer and Waterville GAA ‘A Celebration’ in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Seamus Murphy, John Cronin and Robbie O’Dwyer at the Mick O’Dwyer and Waterville GAA ‘A Celebration’ in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Timothy and Kathleen Sullivan Milltown at the Mick O’Dwyer and Waterville GAA ‘A Celebration’ in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Paudie O’Shea, Darby Clifford, Margaret O’Shea and Seamus O’Shea Club Chairman at the Mick O’Dwyer and Waterville GAA ‘A Celebration’ in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Tom Myers, Christine Crowley, Jill Myers and Jim Crowley at the Mick O’Dwyer and Waterville GAA ‘A Celebration’ in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Tom, Helen and Conor Spillane with Rosarie and Pat Spillane at the Mick O’Dwyer and Waterville GAA ‘A Celebration’ in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Pat Fitzgerald, Padraig and Sheilanne Fogarty, John Fitzgerald and Angela Carney at the Mick O’Dwyer and Waterville GAA ‘A Celebration’ in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.