Hundreds of people lined the streets of the village, applauding as the funeral cortège passed by.

Many of them had queued from 2pm to pay their final respects.

The coffin of Mick O’Dwyer is shouldered by members of Waterville GAA and followed his wife Geraldine and family members into St Finian’s Church, Waterville, Co Kerry. Picture: Dan Linehan

The hearse travelled slowly from his home through Waterville in the bright April sunshine, stopping at the GAA pitch and at Mr O’Dwyer’s pub, the Villa Maria, before going to Fitzgerald’s Funeral Home, where he lay in repose.

The iconic Gaelic football player was also Kerry’s longest-serving manager and its most successful. He is widely viewed as one of the greatest GAA managers of all time.

The Waterville man was born on June 9, 1936. He passed away peacefully in Kenmare Community Hospital on Thursday, April 3.

Requiem Mass for Mick O’Dwyer will be celebrated at 11am tomorrow, Saturday, at St Finian’s Church in Waterville, before he is laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. The requiem mass will be live-streamed.

GAA stars and fans had gathered in Micko’s hometown on Friday evening to bid a final farewell to a pillar of the game.

The funeral cortège of Mick O’Dwyer making its way through Waterville, Co Kerry, passing his bar on the right. Picture: Dan Linehan

Kerry GAA stars attending included Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston, Mikey Sheehy, and the current Kerry GAA manager, Jack O’Connor.

Political figures paying their respects included Kerry natives, ministers Norma Foley and Michael Healy-Rae, along with TD Danny Healy-Rae.

Pat Spillane and Des Fitzgerald outside Fitzgerald’s Funeral Home, Waterville, Co Kerry where the late Mick O’Dwyer was reposing. Picture Dan Linehan

“He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Geraldine, his sons John, Karl and Robert, his stepdaughter Emma (Shields), his daughters-in-law Geraldine, Mary, Sandra and Liz and his adored grandchildren Shane, Amy, Lynn, Pierce, Dylan, Clodagh, Lauren and his step grandchildren, Holly, Cathal and Emily,” his page on RIP.ie says.

“He was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary, his first wife, Mary Carmel and their son Micheal (Haulie).”

Hundreds of people lined the streets of the Kerry village to pay their respects, applauding as the funeral cortège passed by.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin described Mr O’Dwyer as “an icon of Gaelic Games.”

“I am deeply saddened at the passing of Mick O’Dwyer.

Micko lived and breathed Gaelic football. He embodied everything good about the game – dedication, ambition, positivity and community.

“His sporting legacy is unmatched. He will forever be one of Kerry’s iconic players, winning four senior All Ireland medals in 1959, 1962, 1969 and 1970.

“During his tenure as manager in 1975 to 1989, Kerry took the Sam Maguire Cup back to the Kingdom eight times,” Mr Martin said.

“The Waterville man’s intercounty career lasted well into his seventies, until he retired as Clare manager in 2014 at the age of 77.

“My sympathies to all his family and the entire GAA community,” Mr Martin said.

President Michael D Higgins also paid tribute to the GAA legend, saying that he will be remembered as “one of the greatest figures ever to be associated with Gaelic Games”.

Hundreds more messages of condolences are being left on RIP.ie.

One tribute described him as “one of the greatest Kerry men” embodying great sporting prowess, kindness and community spirit.

The coffin of the late Mick O’Dwyer is carried into Fitzgerald’s Funeral Home, Waterville, Co Kerry. His wife Geraldine is standing on the left of the door as is his son Karl. Picture Dan Linehan

“It’s hard to put into words what he meant not just as an incredible GAA player and manager, but as a true gentleman, friend, neighbour and community man who gave so much to everyone around him,” the tribute said.

“His legacy on the pitch was matched only by the way he lifted up his beloved native Waterville and surrounding neighbourhood with his kindness and strong spirit, not to mention his iconic status and fame as one of the greatest Kerry men.” Another said that Mr O’Dwyer made GAA beautiful, turning it into “poetry in motion.”

Former Cork players Colman Corrigan and Barry Coffey outside Fitzgerald’s Funeral Home, Waterville, Co Kerry where the late Mick O’Dwyer was reposing. Picture Dan Linehan

His achievements “will be copper fastened into folklore,” they wrote.

“There’s a certain “vintage” of players, people and fans who would have seen and witnessed what he accomplished.

“Those achievements are and always will be copper fastened into folklore.

The coffin of Mick O’Dwyer is shouldred by members of Waterville GAA and followed his wife Geraldine and family members into St Finian’s Church, Waterville, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan

“God Rest ya ” Micko “, thank you so, so much for everything.

“They always say soccer is the beautiful game but you made Gaelic football beautiful, it was “Poetry in Motion ” with you. God Rest.”.

Another said: “A true legend, there will be no one else like him. Rest peacefully Micko and thanks for all the memories.”

Another said: “Condolences to the O’Dwyer family on the sad passing of Micko. You brought us on a wonderful journey from 2003-2006, leading us to the promised land in 2003. Thank you for the lifetime memories Micko. Rest in eternal peace now.”

Mr O’Dwyer is survived by his wife Geraldine; sons John, Karl and Robert; stepdaughter Emma; daughters-in-law Geraldine, Mary, Sandra and Liz; grandchildren Shane, Amy, Lynn, Pierce, Dylan, Clodagh, and Lauren; and step-grandchildren Holly, Cathal, and Emily.

The sports star and entrepreneur was predeceased by his parents John and Mary, his first wife Mary Carmel, and their son Micheal (Haulie).