Pat Spillane on Mick O’Dwyer’s failings and biggest regret

"He thought there was another few years in us."

That golden generation's final All-Ireland title came in 1986, before they were beaten three years in a row by Cork from 1987-1989, with O'Dwyer leaving in '89.

Spillane said: "There were failings. He was loyal to his players who had served him for years and particularly when we were well past our sell-by-date.

"He thought there was another few years in us, from 1987 to 1989, and sadly there weren’t."

Spillane also spoke about Micko's biggest regret, which did not directly involve Gaelic football, but International Rules and the series against Australia in 1986.

He added: "But his biggest regret, he told me, and it caused him real hurt, was not being offered management of the Ireland team that played Australia in 1986.

"He had already asked me to be his assistant on the tour, which would have been a serious privilege for me."