The funeral mass of Kerry great Mick O’Dwyer took place in his native Waterville this morning.

He passed away on Thursday in Kenmare Community Hospital at the age of 88 and, since that time, the tributes have continuously flowed for one of the GAA’s biggest icons.

‘Micko’ won four All-Ireland SFC titles in his playing days with Kerry before steering the Kingdom to eight Sam Maguire Cup triumphs as manager.

He would also go on to manage Kildare and Laois to Leinster SFC successes before stints with both Wicklow and Clare in the Bainisteoir bib.

A huge crowd gathered this morning for his funeral at St Finian’s Church in Waterville, with those in attendance including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, GAA President Jarlath Burns and a representative of President Michael D Higgins.

Among some of the GAA legends to attend the service were Jack O'Shea, Johnny Doyle, Tommy Walsh, Pat Spillane, Jimmy Deenihan, Eoin ‘The Bomber’ Liston, Darragh Ó Sé, Sean Boylan, Tom Prendergast and Maurice Fitzgerald.

RTE Sport’s Marty Morrissey read a reflection after the eucharist in which he described Mr O'Dwyer as “a kind and loving man who loved life, loved family, loved Waterville, loved Kerry, loved football”.

“You always said how lucky you were to be born in the kingdom of Kerry, and I say, how lucky were we just to know you. It's that simple," he said.

“Through your talents as a footballer and a manager, you brought great joy to this magnificent county of Kerry. This is the kingdom, and you will always be the king. 

“I had this dream during the week that as you pass through the pearly gates of heaven, St Peter will meet you and say: ‘Thank God you're here, Micko. We need a player manager’, and your response will be: ‘Peter, training starts tomorrow night at seven o'clock', because that is you, Micko.  

“Thank you for being you. You were a kind and loving man who loved life, loved family, loved Waterville, loved Kerry, loved football.  

“But you need to know that all of us across our nation, across the four provinces of Ireland, loved you and admired you with all our hearts. You were my great friend, Micko," he added. 

"Micko, let me tell you - you were some man for one man. When I see photos of you from the 1950s, Tom Cruise and George Clooney would not hold a candle to you. You were one handsome man.

"This is the Kingdom and you will always be the king,” he added.

"What a legend - we will never see the likes of him again."

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