O'Dwyer confirmed as new Wicklow boss

Kerry legend Mick O'Dwyer has been formally unveiled as Wicklow's new senior football manager.

The former Kerry, Laois and Kildare boss has been drafted in for a three-year term by the Garden County, which has never won a title at national or provincial level.

The 70-year-old Kerryman replaces Hugh Kenny, who stepped down from the position following the Leinster championship defeat to Carlow last May.

“I am greatly enthused by this new challenge in my career as a senior inter-county manager,” said O’Dwyer.

“There are certain similarities between this challenge and others that I have experienced and I am confident that with the same will and determination success can be achieved.”

“I will be working closely with the players and the management team over the coming months to identify the talent that exists throughout Co Wicklow, to motivate players and to put the necessary structures in place to ensure that Wicklow presents a formidable challenge in next year’s National Football League, while also looking to longer-term goals in the All-Ireland Championship”.

Having retired as a player in 1974, O’Dwyer took the reins of the Kerry Senior team in 1975. By the time he relinquished them in 1986, he had guided the county to 10 All-Ireland finals, eight of which they won.

Having established a successful business career in the hotel, restaurant and pub trade, O’Dwyer returned to the senior inter-county managment in 1998 taking charge of Kildare, who he lead to their first Leinster title in 42 years, and an All-Ireland Final, which they lost to Galway.

He took on a new role as manager of the Laois senior football team in 2002 and within a year the county was celebrating its first Leinster title since 1946.

O’Dwyer bowed out as manager of the Laois team during this year’s Championship following defeat to Mayo at the quarter-final stage.

“We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Mick O’Dwyer as manager of the senior county football team for a three year term,” said the chairman of Wicklow County Board, Michael O’hAgan.

“Mick O’Dwyer brings a wealth of experience to Wicklow and we are greatly excited by this new dawn for our players and supporters. We are especially pleased to announce the support of Ballymore Properties which has been an influential leader in urban development for over 20 years.”

It was also announced today that Ballymore Properties, which is owned by Roscommon businessman Sean Mulryan, has become the new sponsor of the county team.