Evergreen Micko hails courageous Garden men

IT is 56 years since Mick O’Dwyer had his first involvement with inter-county football, lining out for the Kerry minors against Cork in the Munster championship.

54 years ago he played his first National Football League game with his native Kerry, yet there he was in Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday, still in track suit, still as enthusiastic as ever for a game he loves beyond reason.

After a hugely successful career as a player, Micko went on to an even more successful career as manager. First off he led Kerry to eight All-Ireland titles, before successful spells with Kildare and Laois before hitching up with his latest project, Wicklow.