Mourners pay tribute to Micko at his funeral Mourners have paid touching tributes to Mick O'Dwyer this morning as the legendary former footballer and manager was laid to rest. O'Dwyer, affectionately known as 'Micko,' passed away this week at the age of 88 leaving behind a trail of wonderful memories for all involved in Gaelic football. An icon in Kerry, Micko won four All-Ireland's as a player and was named footballer of the year in 1969. He took over as manager during the 1970's and won a remarkable eight All-Ireland titles as Kerry boss. After leaving the kingdom, Micko brought his magic all over the country, helping Kildare, Laois and Wicklow achieve levels of success that hadn't been seen in any of those counties for decades and hasn't been seen since his departure. He managed underage teams well into his 70's, winning an u-14 title with his local Waterville team 11 years ago. Today, mourners including Taoiseach Micheal Martin, GAA President Jarlath Burns, Kerry greats Pat Spilline, Jimmy Deenihan, Sean Boylan, Jacko O'Shea, Tom Prendergast, Johnny Doyle, Ambrose O'Donovan, 'The Bomber' Liston and Maurice Fitzgerald all gathered to pay tribute to Micko as he made his final journey. “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," said RTE journalist and close friend Marty Morrissey at the funeral. “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.