Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D.,at the launch of Blessed and Obsessedthe autobiography of Mick O’Dwyerin the Burlington Hotelon Tuesday, 6 November at 7:15 p.m.
I am delighted to be with you this evening to launch Blessed and Obsessed - the autobiography of legendary Gaelic footballer and manager Mick O ’Dwyer. It tells the glittering tale of how the man from Waterville won the hearts and minds of Irish people.
Blessed and Obsessed gives us an insight into Micko and his deepest thoughts. And because it was his own story as told to Martin Breheny, his spoken words have given the book all the advantages and flavour of a natural storyteller’s style. It also enables Micko’s warmth and wit to shine through.
Martin, as you know, is GAA Editor with the Irish Independent. I launched his Ultimate Encyclopaedia of Gaelic Games which he co-wrote with Donál Keenan over six years ago. His involvement in this latest book further testifies to his love and knowledge of our games, and his skill in presenting its story from every angle.
I have never launched a book by Micko! I have never had to! Micko is the stuff about whom stories are told, memories are cherished and around whom legends grow.
You would wonder when Mick O' Dwyer embarked on his very first Championship 50 years ago, did he imagine a future punctuated by every conceivable honour in the game? Did he see himself changing the course of Kerry Football history, or that of Kildare, Laois, Wicklow and yes, very nearly Dublin too? More broadly speaking, could he have foreseen his pivotal role in revolutionising the approach to the game in terms of teams, tactics and training? And by the same token, helping to reinvigorate a passion for football the length and breadth of Ireland?
From his book, it would seem not. But like men and women everywhere, I’m sure he had dreams to reach the stars. Tonight, we can truly say he has reached them. And in the process, has left an indelible mark on the GAA scene. Today, Mick O 'Dwyer is widely regarded as one of the greatest Gaelic Football players and managers of all times.
Tonight, we are happy to reflect on his legacy to Irish life with the publication of his autobiography. We welcome it for the strong light it casts on his story of endeavour and on Gaelic Games. His enthusiasm for football exudes from every page. It is an exciting tale of success generating further success; a story in which only the sky was the limit. He is a man with the Curriculum Vitae to die for, one that would record medals in his playing career from 4 All Irelands, 8 National Leagues, 12 Senior Provincials and 3 County Championships among others; and to top it all, at the ripe old age of 33 he even became Player of the Year!
When he took over at the helm of the Kerry team in the mid 70s, he started as he meant to go on. He turned this into a truly record breaking time for the Kingdom. Looking back, he has, unquestionably, set a trend which he has kept to this day – whatever colour jersey he dons. And through his achievements, he has earned a place in GAA history.
Those of us back in the 70s with a grá for the powder blue, could never have envisaged the dramatic turnaround that was about to unfold. The two counties were on the lookout for their respective saviours. And when they appeared, many wondered afterwords if it had been destiny itself that Mick O ’Dwyer arrived just in time to compound the challenges faced by Dublin’s newly appointed saviour – Kevin Heffernan.
Kerry’s 2-12 Victory over Dublin in the 1975 All Ireland Final was a wake up call for Dublin - and a historic turning point for the Kingdom. Micko had proven to us all he could take the youngest team ever and refocus the public spotlight on the Kingdom as a team to be reckoned with.
The outcomes from the 1976 and 77 championships were a hard blow. The harder you fall, the higher you bounce – so they say. And it should come as no surprise that his determination that Kerry’s 1975 victory would be no once off! He atoned in the four succeeding years with an astonishing four in a row. The `78 match was one great match – not for those on Hill 16 of course, but Micko and his team love to remind us poor Dubs that it was by far the largest ever score against them in an All Ireland final. And it is something we must concede!
All in all, if we were to look back on that golden era, team discipline was a major factor in changing the destiny of the rival teams. The matches under the stewardship of both Heffo and Micko were characterised by speed, deft handling of the ball, power, elegance and a team rivalry that resonated in every street and village in the country.
However, those outside the Kingdom forget that Kerry almost made it to an historic five in a row. An event of this magnitude deserves its own chapter, especially on its 25th Anniversary.
And indeed Micko gives it such recognition, but with all the wisdom and hindsight that, dare I say - maturity can provide!
After all how could the Kerry men ever forget the sensational moment when Seamus Darby denied them their five in a row and their place in the history books.
We could so easily forget that on his path to success, Micko O 'Dwyer suffered heartbreaks, frustrations and setbacks just like anyone else. The 'five in a row' that might have been was one such event. But the difference between him and many others is that he persevered and continued en route regardless of the scale of his setbacks! The “what ifs” strewn in his path were merely sent to try him and make him forget his blessings.
But that was not your style, Micko, as the title reminds us. Indeed Blessed and Obsessed reminds us that you counted every blessing - being born in the “spiritual home of football”; your charges in your various roles as manager; and a great wife and family too. You were equally blessed with talent and with good health to pursue your dreams. And, all told, that is a lot of blessings. But perhaps the greatest blessing of all is one you did not mention and it is this: you recognised all you had in your favour, when so often, people take their blessings for granted.
Obsessed – well, when we see how football shaped your life and how you shaped Gaelic football, we can understand what you mean. Just as well you suffered, as you term, a double obsession of football and travel. They acted as an addictive cocktail to launch you right into the heart of the Gaelic football scene and for all our benefit.
I have to say, I have always admired the missionary zeal of Kerry people. I am not only referring to the voyages of Saint Brendan, but also to his modern footballing equivalents! We have Micko on the one hand, and Paidí Ó Sé on the other, both sharing the good news with those thirsting for enlightenment. On they marched to pastures new and dangerously close to the Dubs home turf!
First stop for Micko - the Lilywhites, where his tenure as manager in the ‘90s brought a dramatic end to their lean period stretching back to the ‘30s. Then to Laois when in 2003 they captured the Leinster senior honours for the first time since 1946. True to his past record, the successes outnumbered defeats.
The current benefactor is the Garden County. There are few who would like to be in the shoes of a manager attempting to change the fortunes of a county that has not seen much success. Their winning of the Tommy Murphy Cup this August, their first senior cup ever shows he made his debut in true O’Dwyer style! Micko may be the oldest manager in the GAA, but his unwavering commitment means that their fortunes are set to change.
Already, such resolve has united the Garden County in a way we have never seen before. The challenges he overcame are those worthy of only the most gifted managers.
As we can see, he has been the wearer of many managerial caps. – And I ask myself is it any coincidence that the latest two featured the colour blue? – With the blue and white of Laois and the blue and gold of Wicklow. With Micko apparently gravitating towards this noble colour, some might ask how two shades of blue together would suit him - as in the Dublin jersey? - A sight for sore eyes perhaps!
This book shows that Micko was always fascinated by the idea of managing the Dublin team. It’s the dream of dreams for any aspiring manager naturally. And after all, he has played against them on so many occasions and with unequalled passion.
In his book you will get to read about the sorely tempting offer he got to manage the Dubs in 2004, when they were knocked out of the Championship. It is true that some people with long memories may be flabbergasted by the idea and I would say Heffo might just be in that camp! For a Kerry man, bringing Kildare to an All Ireland Semi Final win over the Kingdom would have been difficult enough but doing likewise with Dublin - now there is a touch of the surreal about that! However we can not comment on what might have been. But let’s face it - it would have been a turn for the books and probably a great deal more besides!
Intrigued as I was to read about how Micko almost became a Dub, I was even more amazed to read about how close he came to lining out for this country’s other great team, Fianna Fáil.
Just as Micko had the gift of being able to spot a great player, Charles Haughey had the gift of being able to spot a potentially great candidate. Micko details in this book how Charlie, the late Brian Lenihan and Gene Fitzgerald all prevailed upon him to put his name forward for election.
In the end, Micko, though he came very close to contesting a Fianna Fáil General Election convention, decided that it would be impossible to combine a football and political career and in that scenario his love of GAA was always going to win out. There is no doubt that had Micko chose politics he would have been a big success. He is a man hugely respected by his local community; he has a national profile; he is a man of great wisdom and integrity; he works hard and he exudes a real quiet and decent sense of patriotism.
And just in case you have any regrets about never dipping your toe into the political pond Micko, I would like to remind you that there are always the local elections in 2009!
Blessed and Obsessed is much more than an autobiography. It reminds us of the value of team spirit and motivation; of positive thinking; and of the importance of sharing our talents with others.
Above all it reminds us that nothing in football, as in life, is written in stone. We ourselves determine the outcome. We shape the future.
Let not the green and gold of Kerry colour anyone’s judgement on buying Blessed and Obsessed. Whatever our occupation, we can all take a leaf out of Micko’s book. The staff of my Department have already learned a good lesson or two from Micko’s motivational talks including those who do not profess to share his childhood view that the mighty football is “a precious gift from God”!
Micko, these are the chapters of your life so far. You say in your opening chapter that “football wasn’t in your blood – it is your blood.” Certainly it is the life force behind your passion for sports and for living, a passion that has neither waned nor changed in all these years. As a result, the chapters of the future will, I am sure, be just as compelling. In the meantime, I wish you every success and recommend this wonderful book to everyone.
Thank you.
ENDS.