GAA night to remember

It was one of those nights which many young Kilcullen football players will remember into their older decades. An inspirational speech by the legendary GAA figure Mick O’Dwyer preceded the recent presentation of medals and the trophy to members of Kilcullen GAA Club’s U16 team who won the County B Championships.



Micko opened by saying that he had been in Kilcullen many times before, but it was great to see young players in the club doing so well.

“That’s where all success comes from,” he noted. “It comes from the bottom, and it is also good that the College players here are also doing well at the present time, because all the great players who came through in the county where I come from, Kerry, every single one of them came through College and National School football and competition.”

He added that the reason Kerry is so successful is because they keep those players together and work with them. “So the thing I would say to those people working with this team is to stay with them, bring them through to Senior football.”

He said that anyone who wanted to be a really good footballer, the important thing was all about discipline. “Instead of coming to fifty years’ time and asking yourself why you hadn’t given it a real shot, give it five or six years of your life, and give it that real shot, try and make it to the top. I can tell you now, in my seventies, that if I had to live my life over, I would do as much, and I would do more. I would put everything I had into the game, because there is nothing better than being involved in sport, at any level, be it football or soccer or rugby, or whatever games you pick.”

On practical footballing tips, Micko told them it was important that they could all kick with both feet, and that they keep their eyes wide open when going to catch a ball.

“If you dont keep your eyes open when you’re playing, in any game, you’re not going to achieve anything,” he warned. “The moment you blink when you’re going for a ball, you’ve lost your connection with the ball, so it’s most important that you train your eyes.”

The former trainer of the Kildare team said that he had got the most enjoyment out of working with that team than he had with any other team before or since.

“The goodwill for the game in this county is unbelievable,” he told the Kilcullen youngsters, “and it’s well worth while putting your work into the game. You have come from the low rungs, now you’ve come to underage. The next thing now will be to win a Minor title and then go on from there to the Senior.

“It was mentioned here tonight that six or seven of you will play Senior. Every single one of you should play Senior. It is all about practice, practice, practice. This game is about working at it. You must work at the skills every evening you go to the field. It’s all about working with the ball every chance you get.

“Keep at it,” he concluded. “Kilcullen needs you, Kildare needs you. There was a good side here when I was in Kilcullen a few years ago, and I have no doubt that you will put the club back to its rightful position, and you will eventually win a Senior County Championship for your Club.”