It was a sad week or so in the GAA world with the passing of the great Micko. As they say as Gaeilge, “ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.” We will never see his like again. One of Mick O’Dwyer’s many achievements was bringing Kildare to Leinster glory and running them to four points against Galway in an All-Ireland Final. The Lilywhites may not have reached those heights since at senior level but with a new ground and a man who guided underage Kildare sides to back-to-back provincial success recently in Brian Flanagan, there may be a sense of renewed optimism in our neighbours.
I have lots of memories of Kildare games. From watching the legend Johnny Doyle (67 consecutive games at inter-county), an exceptional footballer to the unfolding of the “Newbridge or Nowhere” debacle in 2018. Sadly, one standout is the early exit in Leinster in 2005 when Alan Budda Mangan’s penalty was saved and, even against 14 men, Westmeath went out. Incredibly, that was our first meeting in the province since 1992. One to forget for those in Croke Park that day.
