Fitting tribute to a legend! ‘Micko’ was superb viewing
ONE of the greatest GAA men in the history of the association was featured in a superb documentary on RTÉ on Monday night last when ‘Micko’ aired at 9.30pm.
Telling the story of the rich and renowned life of Mick O’Dwyer, the wonderful programme brought us on a tour of the country from the Waterville legend’s days as a Kerry player to his time as manager of the Kingdom, then of Kildare, his stint with Laois and, briefly, his magical spell with Wicklow.
Above the moving tones of Ludovico Einaudi and the deep thundering roll of the ‘Interstellar’ soundtrack, the story was spun with warmth and humour as the Kerry native brought us on a journey through his life and times.
We watched as the handsome O’Dwyer kicked points in Croke Park and tottered about with cars in his garage as a young man with a wicked hairstyle.
We witnessed him in his most natural surrounds, the sideline of a GAA pitch. Whether in Croke Park or in Waterville or anywhere else, once looking on at his charges, match programme in hand, there was no denying that this was where this character belonged.
Exactly what he brought to Kildare was there for all to see as scenes of the Lilywhite pitch invasion after the Leinster final and the semi-final victory over Kerry played out before us.
His short hop over to Laois protrayed his managerial skills superbly as he brought the very best out of a team who were in the doldrums and engineered another provincial crown.
Alas, his momentous spell in the Garden County received only the briefest of examinations but time contraints would have forced the hand of the documentary makers but how wonderful it would have been to have reflected back on the magic of the Tommy Murphy Cup victory and that unforgettable qualifier run in Aughrim when everything, even the wildest of GAA dreams seemed possible.
Stunning scenery, funny yarns, great one-liners and the frank and honest philiosophy of Micko made this documentary a really enjoyable watch and if you haven’t managed to catch it yet then RTÉ Player would most certainly be worth your while.
There was a big Wicklow reaction on Twitter following the show.
Patrick Dalton @paddydalton1981:
Great piece on Micko, absolute legend. Lucky to have played for him for so long. He always had time for people no mater where he went. Some great one liners too #Micko
John McGrath @john_mc_ grath:
Fantastic documentary on the great Micko by @RTEgaa. Any chance of making it a 10-episode series? So much character in one man #Micko
Rathnew GAA Club @RathnewGAA1885: #micko. What a documentary, pity it did go on for another few hours.
Conor McGraynor @ ConorMcGraynor:
#Micko What a legend of the game. Epitomises everything the GAA is about. I was fortunate enough to firstly be a supporter from the stands of him and his Wicklow team and then later get to make my debut and play under him and with the team I fanboyed over #Wicklow #wiretowire
Will Hender Phillips @WillieHP1:
One of my greatest sporting experiences was getting to be a member of a Micko panel my first year senior back when I was 19. The man’s passion is infectious, gave us some of the best days I can remember as a Wicklow man! #micko
James Sheerin @jumbosheerin:
A timeline literally full of tweets about the great man #Micko the word legend is thrown around very easily these days but there’s no better example of a true legend of the game.
Tony Hannon @tonyhannon1980:
#Micko What a great man and a brilliant documentary.
John Doyle @johnnydoyle78 (Kildare):
#micko give me my start when most thought he’d lost the plot. I’ll alway be be greatful and honored that I got the opertuniity to have learned from.
Bill Hill @BillHillWicklow:
Heroes Get Remembered, But Legends Never Die .... He gave Wicklow some of our greatest memories but the buzz and hype that he brought captured the hearts and minds of even those of us who never followed the GAA in Wicklow and that was something only he could do #Micko
Wicklow GAA Online @wicklowgaa:
RTE1 tonight at 9.35. A documentary on the legend Mick O’Dwyer. It’s hard to forget the summers with Micko when we contested Tommy Murphy Cup finals and that run through the qualifiers under his stewardship. The players might not forget his wire to wire training either. #Micko
Ian McDonald @IanMcDonald91:
The passion #micko shows for the GAA is everything that is good about the sport.
Rory Nolan @nolanrory:
#Micko documentary last night was amazing!! A powerful character to talk to and a master in the dressing room at managing lads.
Took a chance on me when other lads would have laughed at me; I can assure you#Micko