‘An icon of Gaelic Games’ – Taoiseach leads tributes after death of legendary Kerry manager Mick O’Dwyer, aged 88

The Waterville maestro won eight All Ireland senior football titles as Kerry manager

The Waterville maestro – born on June 9, 1936 – will be remembered for his achievements on and off the field. A brilliantly stylish player in the green and gold in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, O’Dwyer transitioned to become the most successful manager the Kingdom has ever seen in his post-playing career.

Paying tribute, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said O’Dwyer was an “icon of Gaelic Games” and his “sporting legacy is unmatched”.

While Tanaiste Simon Harris said O’Dwyer had a “great sense of leadership”, as well as warmth and kindness.

O’Dwyer will forever be remembered as the key figure in the Kerry golden years of the 1970s and 1980s. Having led a brilliant young Kerry team to an insurgent All Ireland title in 1975 as manager, he went on to coach the Kingdom to seven further All-Ireland titles over an eleven year period, including the famous four in-a-row between 1978 and 1981.

The…