MAN STANDING MICKO THROUGH THE AGES...
‘It’s incredible that someone has that impact on a game’
1950S SEAN MURPHY
(KERRY)
The outstanding Kerry footballer of his era,
Murphy gave one of the 1980S all-time great displays JACK O’SHEA from right half-back in (KERRY)
Kerry’s 1959 All-Ireland O’Shea drew his early final win over Galway. footballing inspiration
He was subsequently from watching O’Dwyer chosen in that position and O’Connell train together for Team of the Century at his local pitch in 1984 and Team ofInthseide SipnoCrtahSetorsryiveen. Millennium in 1999. Broke into the Kerry team in 1976 and was a force of nature in the ‘80s, when he won Texaco Footballer of the Year four times.
Partners O’Connell at midfield on the Team of the Century.
1960S
MICK O’CONNELL
(KERRY)
The careers of O’Connell and O’Dwyer went very much hand in hand, with the Valentia man still revered as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, nearly 50 years after he last played for Kerry.
Won four All-Irelands and was also chosen on the Teams of the Century/Millennium.
1970S
MIKEY SHEEHY
(KERRY)
His playing career overlapped briefly with the end of O’Dwyer’s, but under his management Sheehy became one of the most celebrated forwards in the game’s history.
A winner of eight AllIrelands, he too was selected on the Teams of the Century/Millennium at right corner-forward.
1990S
GLENN RYAN (KILDARE) O’Dwyer’s achievements in Kildare rubbished the notion that his success in Kerry was purely down to the quality of player at his disposal.
Ryan was an outstanding captain as Kildare won their first Leinster title in 42 years in 1998 and when they regained it in 2000.
A two-time All Star and International Rules regular.
2000S
ROSS MUNNELLY
(LAOIS) Munnelly was handed his Laois debut by O’Dwyer in 2003 as the Kerryman inspired the county’s first Leinster title since 1946.
A brilliant forward, his longevity was remarkable as he only brought the curtain down on his Laois career last December at the age of 40.
Selected three times on International Rules squads.
2010S
GARY BRENNAN
(CLARE) Appointed Clare captain by O’Dwyer in 2013. “Micko would make you feel 10 feet tall,” said Brennan in 2020.
“That was exactly what I felt, from the first minute I met him.”
One of the best midfielders in the game as Clare became a force under Colm Collins. Played in the last two International Rules series’ in 2015 and ‘17.