Emmet Moloney writes for the 'The Irish Farmers Journal' and is a former sports columnist with 'The Kerryman'.

Mick O’Dwyer has been working his magic once more, this time leading Wicklow to the last 12 of the All-Ireland football championship. How does he keep on doing it? asks Emmet Moloney...

The cult of the manager in GAA has gotten out of hand over the past few years. Far too much has been made of the bainisteoir when a team wins – and especially when a team loses. Thanks to the influence of soccer, the cry for the manager to go is heard before the final whistle of a losing match. It is ridiculous and the media, their ranks now swelled with full-time GAA writers and far too many media organs, are quick to start the speculation on successors.

The days of the long-term manager are over. Brian Cody, 10 years serenely at the helm of Kilkenny, is an exception to the rule. And a successful exception. But what about Micko? Well, that’s a whole different legend.

Easily the most cunning of them all, he is the perfect manager. Watching Mick O’Dwyer celebrate his team’s remarkable victory last Saturday night we could only marvel at a man in his 70s still generating such enthusiasm in men, on average, 50 years younger than him.

Wicklow was a strange move for the Kerry maestro. Way down the football pecking order and hundreds of miles from his Waterville base, he surely had more attractive offers. But off he went and to many people’s surprise was still in charge this summer, his third championship in a row.

If there is a secret to Mick O’Dwyer it has to be his attitude. It is inevitably positive and it is undoubtedly infectious. His training sessions are legendary for their simplicity. Players that have played under Micko describe his training as basic but thoroughly enjoyable. But he gets results. No matter where he goes he gets a tune out of his squads.

Modern-day managers are supposed to be a myriad of personalities. Chatty and open, funny and knowledgeable to the press, they have to be driven and focussed, ruthless and clinical with their team. Don’t forget their interaction with players’ issues, county board officials, supporters, irate fans, referees, linesmen, etc.

On that description, it would appear that multiple personalities are required. At the very least the public face is a little different to the one the players see. But apparently this is not the way with Micko. Having spoken to quite a few of the Kerry greats from that wonderful side that collected eight All-Irelands, Dwyer (as they call him) has no real magic to him. Mischievous to be sure and perhaps a little devious when necessary; he is just as he appears. And he loves football. That’s it. His personality. That’s the key.

Micko doesn’t really care a hell of a lot what people think of him. His annoyance at never getting the Irish compromise rules job is a public one. If he had kept his counsel on the original snub perhaps he would have gotten the call, but that didn’t bother Micko. He was wronged and he wasn’t afraid to say it. In his autobiography he crossed a certain line by describing how the revenue looked into his affairs and found nothing. The line he crossed was openly discussing money, something no manager had done before or since. But his point was well made. Micko wasn’t in it for the money and we can believe him. If he was he could have gone to Dublin a while back. He could have gone somewhere a lot closer to home than Wicklow.

His effect isn’t always immediate. Kildare eventually won two Leinsters under Micko and came close to an All-Ireland in 1998. He had two spells with the Lilies, not leaving until something was won. Laois made their Leinster breakthrough in 2003. Wicklow have now won three championship games on the trot. The county is going mad and young fellas are walking around proud and resplendent in their Wicklow jerseys. Micko is the reason. Isn’t that something?

Before the year is out, either Mickey Harte, Jack O’Connor, John O’Mahony or Pat Gilroy will feel it from their own supporters. One or two might even be unceremoniously dumped. They can’t all win the All-Ireland. That’s a kind of pressure Micko never attracted.

When players suddenly freeze up in front of goal and kick poor wides, it is never Micko’s fault. Indicipline is never put down to Micko either. A team that look clueless are obviously on their own solo runs – sure it can’t be Micko. He patrols a sideline as good as any nervous manager and no doubt he throws the odd smart comment at a ref or a linesman. We don’t hear about it. In truth, his personality is such that he is the type of fella that gets away with more than other managers try. But get away with it he does.

You see, Micko is rarely if ever a bad loser. Even back in 1982 when Offaly stunned the Kingdom with that goal, Micko led the way in taking that defeat on the chin. That helps greatly with managing expectation and media reaction. At this Mick O’Dwyer is a real genius.

Listen to Micko when his team lose. He will congratulate the winners and say they were probably the better team and will definitely say they deserved their victory. This done, he will lead his listeners to water. “If we could have scored those few frees, if the decisions here and there went our way, if another minute or two was played.” And of course some of these statements will be couched with the usual disclaimer: “I’m not criticising the referee here. I thought he did a fine job!” In the end you are agreeing with him and the press are doing his work for him. Yes they were robbed and isn’t Micko taking it very well!

This Saturday night is the classical match-up of managerial styles. In Kieran McGeeney we have the uber-professional – focused on fitness, strength, statistics and a rigid game plan. In Micko we have the old-school motivator, preaching simplicity and pure football. Catch it. Kick it.

Alas, the Wicklow fairytale will probably end in a blaze of glory on Saturday night. They will probably come up a little short against one of Micko’s former adopted counties. But the Micko mystique will carry on another while yet. And thank God for that.

To catch Emmet's latest column, get 'The Irish Farmers' Journal' every Thursday...