Funeral of Mick O'Dwyer due to take place in Waterville

The funeral of former Kerry football player and manager Mick O'Dwyer is due to take place in Waterville, Co Kerry later this morning.

Mr O'Dwyer died on Thursday at the age of 88.

The funeral Mass will take place at St Finian's Church in the west Kerry village at 11am, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Mr O'Dwyer won 12 All-Ireland titles as a player and manager with the Kerry footballers over the course of his 33-year involvement with his native county.

He also managed Kildare and Laois to Leinster titles, and had spells managing Wicklow and Clare as well.

Mr O'Dwyer was a hotelier and undertaker in his native Waterville. His first wife Mary Carmel died in 2012 and he married Geraldine Shields in 2023.

He is survived by his wife Geraldine, his sons John, Robbie and Karl, and is pre-deceased by another son Michael.

Micko: A true giant who built an unforgettable legacy

President Michael D Higgins led the tributes following Mr O'Dwyer's death, saying he will be remembered as "one of the greatest figures ever to be associated with Gaelic Games".

He expressed his deepest sympathies to his family, teammates, former players and his many friends.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was with great sadness that he had learned of the passing of Mr O'Dwyer.

"He was an iconic figure, particularly during the 1970s," he said, a decade that had marked a new era in GAA management.

He said Mick O'Dwyer was a wonderful figure in the GAA, a great modern coach and a great footballer.

The funeral of Mick O'Dwyer will be shown on the RTÉ News channel and app from 11am.

Click here to read article