Mick O'Dwyer

Mick O'Dwyer (born 9 June 1936 in Waterville, County Kerry), is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played Gaelic football with his local club Waterville and was a member of the Kerry senior team from 1956 until 1974. O'Dwyer later served as manager of Kildare, Laois and Wicklow, however, it was as manager of the Kerry senior football team from 1974 until 1989 that allowed him to gain iconic status as the most successful manager of all-time.

Biography

Mick O'Dwyer was born in Waterville, County Kerry in 1936. He was educated locally at St. Finian's national school before later attending Waterville Technical School. O'Dwyer later worked as a hotelier and as well as running an undertaker service.

Playing career

Inter-county

O’Dwyer first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kerry minor football team in the early 1950s. After two years without an appearance in the provincial minor decider Kerry reached the Munster final in 1954 with O’Dwyer lining out at midfield. Cork provided the opposition on that occasion, however, ‘the Kingdom’ were far too strong for the young ‘Rebels’. A 4-10 to 1-3 trouncing gave O’Dwyer a Munster medal in the minor grade. Kerry subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland final against Dublin, however, O’Dwyer was not included in the starting fifteen on that occasion. Kerry lost the game by a point.

O’Dwyer’s move onto the Kerry senior football team was a natural progression. He made his competitive debut in a National League game against Carlow in the 1956-57 season, before making his championship debut in a defeat by Waterford in the 1957 Munster championship.

In 1958 O’Dwyer lined out in his first senior provincial decider. Back-to-back champions Cork were the opponents, however, their three-in-a-row bid failed in spectacular fashion. A 2-7 to 0-3 victory for Kerry gave O’Dwyer his first Munster winners’ medal in the senior grade. ‘The Kingdom’s’ run of success came to a halt in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final when Derry defeated O’Dwyer’s team by just a single point.

1959 got off to a good start when Kerry reached the final of the National League. Derry, the team that had put Kerry to the sword in the previous year’s championship, provided the opposition. A close game developed once again, however, on this occasion O’Dwyer ended the game with a National League medal following a 2-8 to 1-8 victory. Kerry later faced Cork in the Munster final for the second successive year. The game was more competitive than their encounter at the dame stage the previous year, however, the result was the same. Kerry won by 2-15 to 2-8 and O’Dwyer added a second Munster medal to his collection. ‘The Kingdom’ later defeated reigning champions Dublin to set up an All-Ireland final showdown with Galway. Every aspect of that game seemed to go Kerry’s way. A punched Tom Long ball was forced into the net by Dan McAuliffe for Kerry’s opening goal. McAuliffe struck again when goalkeeper Jimmy Farrell dropped the ball accidentally in the goalmouth, while substitute Garry McMahon slipped as he sent the third into the net in the final few minutes. A 3-7 to 1-4 score line gave Kerry the title and gave O’Dwyer a coveted All-Ireland winners’ medal.

The following year Kerry faced Waterford in yet another Munster final appearance. The sides having been level at half-time, ‘the Kingdom’ dominated the second half and eventually won by 3-15 to 0-8 and O’Dwyer secured a third consecutive Munster title. A second consecutive All-Ireland final appearance quickly followed with Down providing the opposition. The game was played on an even keel for much of the first-half; however, an important incident turned the game in the Ulster men’s favour eleven minutes after the interval. Kevin Mussen’s line ball found Dan McCartan who sent in a high forty-yard lob which Kerry goalkeeper Johnny Culloty dropped over the goal-line. Two minutes later Paddy Doherty was pulled down in the square. He converted the subsequent penalty which put Down six points up. An historic final score of 2-10 to 0-8 resulted in a defeat for O’Dwyer’s side, while the Sam Maguire Cup crossed the border into Northern Ireland for the first time.

Kerry reached the final of the 1960-61 National League and, for the second time in three years, Derry were the opponents. The northerners put up little opposition as Kerry steamrolled them to secure a 4-16 to 1-5 victory. It was O’Dwyer’s second National League medal. Kerry’s subsequent Munster final date with Cork ended in a draw. The replay saw Kerry make no mistake and a 2-13 to 1-4 score line gave O’Dwyer a fourth Munster medal in-a-row. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final was a repeat of the previous year’s championship decider. The result was also the same as the Ulster men secured a 1-12 to 0-9 victory and dumped O’Dwyer’s side out of the championship.

Kerry bounced back from this disappointment and proved that they were the masters of provincial football once again in another showdown with Cork. A 4-8 to 0-4 mauling gave O’Dwyer his fifth provincial winners’ medal in succession. Kerry later booked a place in the All-Ireland final against Roscommon, a game which has been described as possibly the worst championship decider of them all. Garry McMahon went into the history books as he scored Kerry’s first goal after just thirty-five seconds. Kerry fielded the resultant kick-out and Timmy O'Sullivan got the first of Kerry’s twelve points of the day. A Don Feeley penalty failed to life ‘the Rossies’ who fell to ‘the Kingdom’ by 1-12 to 1-4. It was O’Dwyer’s second All-Ireland winners’ medal.

The home final of the 1962-63 National League saw Kerry finally defeat Down. A largely nominal victory over New York in the proper final gave O’Dwyer a third National League medal. The subsequent Munster final against Cork was a much more competitive affair in comparison to recent encounters; however, a Kerry victory was never really in doubt. A 1-18 to 3-7 victory gave O’Dwyer an impressive sixth consecutive provincial winners’ medal. Kerry, however, went off the boil and were defeated by eventual championship runners-up Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

In 1964 O’Dwyer missed Kerry’s seventh consecutive Munster final victory. He returned to the starting fifteen for ‘the Kingdom’s’ subsequent All-Ireland final showdown with Galway. The game turned into a battle between Mick O'Connell and Cyril Dunne. The former scored seven of Kerry’s points while the latter converted nine. After Galway took a four-point lead in the opening ten minutes they never looked back. A full-time score of 0-15 to 0-10 resulted in a defeat for O’Dwyer’s side. After receiving the Sam Maguire Cup Galway captain John Donnellan learned that his father had died in the stand watching the match.

The start of 1965 saw Kerry face Galway again, this time in the National League final. Defeat was O’Dwyer’s lot on that occasion as well. An almost obligatory Munster medal quickly followed as Kerry defeated Limerick by 2-16 to 2-7. Kerry later reached yet another All-Ireland final and, for the third time inside twelve months, Galway faced ‘the Kingdom’ in a national final. Galway raced out of the starting blocks once again; however, the game was not without incident. Kerry’s Derry O'Shea and Galway’s John Donnellan were sent-off. Major scoring threat Mick O’Connell was curtailed; however, Kerry launched a great comeback. In the end Galway were the champions for the second year in-a-row.

In 1966 disaster struck as O’Dwyer broke both his legs. These injuries effectively ended his football career and he retired from the game. After two years of recuperation O’Dwyer made a miraculous recovery and returned to the game and proved to be better than ever. After losing back-to-back provincial deciders, Kerry were back facing Cork in the Munster showpiece of 1968. A high-scoring game followed, however, a 1-21 to 3-8 score line resulted in a Kerry victory and an eighth Munster winner’s medal for O’Dwyer. Down, one of the fairytale stories of the sixties, provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final. Legendary player Seán O'Neill got the inside of his boot to a rebounding ball for a goal after six minutes to get the northerners on their way. A Brendan Lynch goal for Kerry in the final minute was little more than a consolation as Down won the game by 2-12 to 1-13.

At the start of 1969 Kerry signaled their intent when they reached the final of the National League once again. After taking care of Offaly O’Dwyer’s side traveled to New York for a two-game final series with New York. An aggregate score of 2-33 to 2-24 gave Kerry the win and gave O’Dwyer a fourth National League winners’ medal. The almost annual Munster final between Kerry and Cork provided no surprise. ‘The Kingdom’ won easily by 0-16 to 1-4 and O’Dwyer added a ninth provincial winners’ medal to his collection. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, this time with Offaly providing the opposition. Goalkeeper Johnny Culloty proved the hero of the day. He made two great saves in the first-half and another straight after the interval. Kerry held onto a three-point lead from the interval until the final whistle and a 0-10 to 0-7 victory gave O’Dwyer a third All-Ireland winners’ medal. Not only didi he finish the season as the top scorer but he was later honoured by being named Texaco Hurler of the Year.

The following year Kerry proved that they were the masters of football once again. Cork had the misfortune of facing ‘the Kingdom’ in the very first eighty-minute Munster final, however, Kerry were relentless. A massive 2-22 to 2-9 victory gave O’Dwyer an impressive tenth Munster winners’ medal. Kerry later qualified for a third consecutive All-Ireland final and were hoping for their first back-to-back titles since 1941. Meath were the opponents on this occasion and an exciting game developed over the course of the eighty minutes. O’Dwyer’s side took an eight-point lead, however, this was cut back to just three by Meath. Din Joe Crowley’s goal four minutes from the end sealed a 2-19 to 0-18 victory and a fourth All-Ireland winners’ medal for O’Dwyer. In winning this title O’Dwyer finished the season as top scorer again, as well as joining a unique group of players to win All-Ireland medals in each of three decades.

The 1970-71 National League saw Kerry reach the final again. Mayo lined out in opposition, however, ‘the Kingdom’ secured a 0-10 to 0-8 win and O’Dwyer added a fifth National League medal to an already impressive collection. While Kerry embarked on the three-in-a-row championship trail, their plans came unstuck in the Munster final. After years of being put to the sword by their nearest neighbours, Cork fought back in spectacular fashion to record one of their most comprehensive victories over Kerry. A remarkable 0-25 to 0-14 score line ended O’Dwyer’s championship hopes for another year.

As O’Dwyer now reached the twilight of his football career, he showed no signs of slowing down. Kerry qualified for a second consecutive National League final in 1972 and, for the second time in as many years, Mayo provided the opposition. This time the victory was even more comprehensive as Kerry secured a 2-11 to 1-9 victory and O’Dwyer picked up a sixth National League medal. For the seventh year in succession Kerry faced Cork in the subsequent Munster final, however, on this occasion ‘the Rebels’ went into the game as reigning champions. Normal service was resumed as ‘the Kingdom’ secured a 2-21 to 2-15 victory and O’Dwyer won his eleventh Munster title on the field of play. Offaly, a team who had won their first-ever All-Ireland title the previous year, provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final. Noel Cooney of Offaly and Brendan Lynch of Kerry exchanged goals throughout the game, while Offaly captain Tony McTague converted six points for his side. At the full-time whistle both sides were level on 1-13 apiece. The draw four weeks later was another exciting affair. Both sides exchanged tit-for-tat scorers, however, Offaly broke down Kerry’s defences after forty-eight minutes when Pat Fenning’s long speculative ball hopped over the line without anyone touching it. The 1-19 to 0-13 victory for Offaly turned out to be Kerry’s biggest-ever defeat in an All-Ireland final.

At the start of 1973 Kerry made it three-in-a-row of National League titles. Remarkably, at thirty-seven years of age O’Dwyer was still a member of the Kerry team and he picked up a seventh winners’ medal in that competition. Kerry, however, were now going though a period of transition as the team of the 1960s were retiring while the great team of the 1970s was still coming together. Kerry were back in the Munster final against Cork, however, the day turned into a disaster. ‘The Kingdom’ suffered their biggest-ever defeat in a provincial decider as Cork won by 5-12 to 1-15. This defeat effectively brought the curtain down on O’Dwyer’s inter-county career. He remained with the battle for another season in 1974; however, he retired before the start of the championship following a challenge game against Sligo in May of that year.

Management career

O'Dwyer retired as a player in 1974 and was appointed manager of the Kerry team in 1975, where he had much success. During his twelve years as manager O'Dwyer'Kerry teams played in ten All-Ireland finals, winning eight of them. During this period as manager of what many consider to be the greatest football team of all time five of his players won a magical 8 Senior All-Ireland medals. Four of his players won 8 Texaco Awards and overall his players won 71 All Star Awards. O'Dwyer retired as Kerry manager in 1986 but moved onto other teams. His management career with Kerry spanned between 1975–1989, a period in which Kerry played 55 games, which they won 43, lost 7 and drew 5.

As manager of the Kildare team in 1998, O'Dwyer lead them to a Leinster title and an All-Ireland final, however, they narrowly lost out to Galway. His management career with Kildare lasted two periods, the first was 1991-1994 and the second was 1997-2002. As the Kildare manger 33 games were played, with 16 wins, 11 losses and 6 draws.

He took over the Laois team in 2002 which he led to a famous Leinster title in 2003. At the beginning of the football championship in 2006 O'Dywer announced that 2006 would be his last season with Laois, however, he had not ruled out moving as manager to another team. It was first revealed on 6 September 2006 that O'Dwyer would not be staying on at Laois for another season having made his final appearance as Laois manager against Mayo in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals.^[1] His Laois career between 2003 and 2006, included 17 games, which finished as 10 wins, 4 losses and 3 draws.

On 7 October 2006, it was revealed that O'Dwyer has agreed to take charge of the Wicklow senior football team.^[2] He made his debut as Wicklow manager with a win against Carlow in the 2007 O'Byrne Cup.^[3]

On 5 July 2009, Wicklow defeated Fermanagh 0-17 to 1-11. This marked a milestone for O'Dwyer as he has now beat every other county during his terms as manager of different teams.^[4]

On 30 June 2010, rumours were going around about O'Dwyer resigning after the exit of the championship by Cavan it has not been resolved whether or not he will continue. In September, 2010 he confirmed he was going to continue as manager for Wicklow for his 5th year.

On 16 July 2011, O'Dwyer announced the end of his tenure as Wicklow manager following defeat to Armagh in Round 3 of the All-Ireland Qualifiers.^[5]

Honours

As player

Kerry

• Munster Senior Football Championship:
  • Winner (12): 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 (sub), 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972
  • Runner-up (4): 1956, 1971, 1973, 1974

• Four All-Ireland Senior Football Championships
• Eight National Football League Championships
• Twelve Munster Senior Football Championships
• One Railway Cup
• Three Kerry Senior Football Championship finals with Waterville as player-coach

As manager

• Eight All-Ireland Senior Football Championship titles
• Three All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship titles
• Six Railway Cup titles
• Two Leinster Senior Football Championship titles with Kildare
• One Leinster Senior Football Championship title with Laois
• One Leinster U21 Football Championship titles with Kildare
• Three Kerry Senior Football Championship finals with Waterville as player-coach
• One Tommy Murphy Cup title with Wicklow

References

Teams