One of the greatest Gaelic footballers of all time – many would argue the best of them all – celebrates his landmark 86th birthday this Wednesday.
Valentia Island legend, Mick O’Connell, a stylish, high-fielding, gifted midfielder, who made an incredible impact on the game, won four All-Ireland senior medals, 12 Munster championships, four national league crowns, one All-Star award and three county championships during an illustrious playing career that spanned quarter of a century
A farmer and fisherman – he studied engineering in UCC – O’Connell captained his county to All-Ireland glory in 1959, three years after he had made his inter-county debut against Tipperary in the provincial championship.
He retired from inter-county football in 1973 and the following year he published his widely read autobiography, A Kerry Footballer which was described as one of the most authoritative books ever written about Gaelic football.
In the GAA’s centenary year in 1974, Micko was named at midfield position on the prestigious Team of the Century and he was later included in the Football Team of the Millennium as well as having his portrait featured on a postage stamp.
A former Independent member of Kerry County Council, who never sought the limelight despite his remarkable achievements, was named Kerry Person of the Year by the Kerry Association in Dublin in 1999.
In his 1974 autobiography, O’Connell’s advice to any young player keen on the game was to persevere and they would succeed, not to be downhearted if beaten occasionally and, most of all, be fair and practice good living habits.
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