'A genius in the dressing room' Laois GAA's Declan O'Loughlin pays tribute to the late Mick O'Dwyer

A fond tribute has been paid to the late Mick O'Dwyer by a Laois GAA selector who knew him well and was instrumental in bringing him to Laois for an era that will never be forgotten.

Declan O'Loughlin spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live to recall Micko's spell in Laois GAA from 2002 to 2006.

“He made a huge contribution to Wicklow, Kildare and Laois. The man was a genius really in the dressing room more than the field. He would give you confidence. You’d feel like playing for the man. That’s what he did, in all the counties. 

“When he took over the Laois panel he lifted the players. On the first night here, he told the players ‘I’ll get three or four All Stars out of you’, and he got three. Beano should have got one as well.

“He just loved it. He loved being involved. He brought success to us. Laois people will always remember those great times.

“He was a great character too, a funny man. He cycled, he climbed mountains, he travelled around the world. He had that energy and courage,” he said.

Declan’s then business O’Loughlin’s Hotel on Main Street Portlaoise became Micko’s second home in the Midlands.

“He was here every day for seven years, even when he went to Wicklow. He liked his food, his rice pudding. He never tasted a drop of alcohol,” Declan said.

There was great sadness in Laois among the players Micko had coached. 

“All the players to a man contacted me when the news broke. To express how much they enjoyed playing for him. That’s a testament to his greatness. He will be always spoken fondly of in Laois,” Declan O'Loughlin said.

Read also: Glowing tributes to Micko in Laois. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and GAA President Jarlath Burns were among the mourners at Mick O'Dwyer's funeral Mass in Kerry on Saturday, April 5, where his days in Laois were recalled.