When the Garden blossomed under Micko's care

Only early last week, just days prior to his passing, Mick O’Dwyer was brought up in conversation.

I was having a chat with our editor, James Laffey, when ‘Micko’ was mentioned during a talk about Wicklow GAA. During the conversation, I discovered that Mayo businessman Arthur French played a key role in O’Dwyer’s decision to take over the Garden County mantle in 2006.

When I heard Mick O’Dwyer’s name, a sense of nostalgia came upon me. I was brought back to a nine-year-old me, enjoying watching my county go on their best-ever run in the 2009 All-Ireland football championship.

A few days later, we learned the news of Micko’s passing at the age of 88. Tributes have since been paid to the legendary manager throughout the GAA world. 

Wicklow GAA described his spell in charge of the county as passionate and dedicated, words which couldn’t be truer – O’Dwyer quickly became a firm fan’s favourite.

Thinking back to his time with Wicklow, two vivid images come into my head. Firstly, meeting O’Dwyer for the first time in my home town of Aughrim where I got his autograph, and secondly, standing in the pouring rain to watch Wicklow overcome a strong Cavan outfit on home soil in the 2009 All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers.

The Kerry man brought a winning belief to the Garden County during his five-year spell in charge. There was a sense of aura around him. 

Two years before the unforgettable All-Ireland run, Micko guided Wicklow to the Tommy Murphy Cup, before finishing as runners-up in the same competition the following year.

Victories over Fermanagh, Cavan and Down in those 2009 qualifiers were memorable, as the crowds and media descended on Aughrim to see Wicklow’s rise under Micko. 

Jerseys were present everywhere around the county, the ticket sales went through the roof, and the footballers were the talk of the town. This was all thanks to O’Dwyer’s stint in the south-east.

Micko will forever be remembered for his time in charge of his native county and his success with Kildare, but the impact he had on Wicklow football should not go under the radar either. 

He gave my father and me some great days out supporting our county. When I think about my experience of following Wicklow as a youngster, Micko is the number one name who comes to mind.

“I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do, I’ve done it all, and I’ve got great enjoyment out of it. I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Mick O’Dwyer told RTÉ Sport in a past interview.

His impressive legacy makes him one of the all-time GAA greats, both as a player and manager.

May he rest in peace.