A long time coming.
Mick O’Dwyer is widely regarded as one of the finest GAA managers of all time, but he was also a fine player in his own right, winning four All-Ireland’s ,as well as seven league medals, in his days in the green and gold.
His Kerry career began in 1954 when the young Waterville man was part of a side that won the Munster minor title, but just missed out on All-Ireland glory to Dublin, by 3-3 to 1-8.
Only twenty players got medals in those days so despite being a playing member of the team he never got the medal he deserved for the provincial success enjoyed by the Kingdom.
O’Dwyer didn’t make a big deal out of it at the time and in 1955 he played with the Kerry Juniors before winning his first senior medal in 1959.
But thanks to some locals, and the good Kerry public, there was a drive to ensure that O’Dwyer did indeed get the medal he missed out on in 1954, and that he could complete his collection.
An event was organised this week in his native Waterville that saw the GAA legend presented with the medal by fellow Kerryman Micheal O Muircheartaigh.
Micko after receiving 1954 minor medal that he never got from michael o muircheartaigh @sportsdes pic.twitter.com/6zLTYE1zOw
— Legends lounge (@LodgeLegends) August 13, 2015
And the night produced a wonderful picture as O’Dwyer was speaking to Maurice Fitzgerald and the legendary commentator in a conversation that we love to have had a microphone for.
Love to be a fly here three great kerrymen the 3 m's micko,michael&maurice #legends @RTEsport @TV3SportIreland pic.twitter.com/4g0nQYutV9
— Legends lounge (@LodgeLegends) August 13, 2015
H/T Terrace Talk
