Former Dublin boss transformed Gaelic football

Kevin Heffernan wasn’t solely responsible for revitalising Dublin football in the mid-’70s and re-energising the GAA in the capital but he was the one who masterminded the county’s emergence as a dominant force.

He helped revolutionise Gaelic football, transforming it from the catch-and-kick game to a passing and running game. Known for perfecting the role of the roving full-forward in his playing days, he also got centre-forward Tony Hanahoe to roam to reduce the influence of the centre-back and give the other forwards more room to operate.

Winning the 1974 All-Ireland title against all the odds was hugely significant and delivered the kiss of life to club competitions in Dublin and generated young followers to the GAA. They were a Division 2 team, having lost by two goals to Clare in Croke Park in the last round of the league and were anything but impressive in their opening championship game against Wexford.