FORMER KERRY FOOTBALLER Dara Ó’Cinnéide has paid tribute to his former manager Páidí Ó’Sé, who sadly passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 57.
Speaking to RTE, O’Cinnéide spoke of the exceptional former Kingdom player and manager, having played under him in the successful Kerry Under-21 teams of 1995 and 1996, and senior title-winning sides of 1997 and 2000.
“They say Páidí Ó Sé broke the mould. There was no mould. He was an exception to every rule. He was an exceptional man in every single way,” the 37-year-old said.
“In terms of GAA, they talk about people that win medals and if medals are a measure of a man, there is a statement in that itself. Eight All-Ireland medals; it is unsurpassed.
“There was all the individual awards he won but it was his contribution really after the game as well as that.
“For a number of years he resurrected Kerry football from the doldrums. He deserves so much praise for that and that might be recognised now that he has departed.”
Ó’Cinnéide painted a picture of O’Sé as a vivacious character who made no bones about his intention to bring the side back to the pinnacle of Gaelic Football.
“I remember when Páidí Ó Sé took over the Kerry team in late 1995. He made one statement: he was going to put the spirituality back into Kerry football,” he added.
“It was at a low ebb at that time and he certainly did that. For a number of years after it, he contributed hugely.
“There is no need to talk about his prowess as a player. he achieved so much.
“As a manager – that is how I’ll remember him. He looked after us, he looked out for us, he shaped the way we played and thought about football. He was an amazing, amazing manager. He was a gregarious character, full of fun and he’ll be sorely missed.”
