Mick O'Dwyer

Who is Mick O'Dwyer?

Mick O'Dwyer is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. Most recently manager of the Clare senior football team, he is considered to be "the 'high priest' of Kerry football".

O'Dwyer 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 1975 until 1989 that allowed him to gain iconic status as the most successful manager of all-time. In June 2012, a statue of Mick O'Dwyer was erected in Waterville to honour his achievements. The picture of the statue in this article was taken on the morning after its unveiling.

O'Dwyer announced his retirement from inter-county management in January 2014 after a 60-year involvement with inter-county football. Speaking on his retirement he said "My days of rolling up the match programme tightly in my hand and heading out to patrol the sidelines are over. I'd be happy to give a bit of advice from time to time if anyone wants it but I won't be managing again. That's behind me now,".