Former Kerry football manager and player Páidí Ó Sé has died at the age of 57. The eight times All-Ireland winner died suddenly at his home in Ard a’ Bothar, Ventry earlier today.
He is suspected to have suffered a heart attack. Emergency services were called to the scene.
The news has come as a great shock to the football world and in particular to those who played under him as manager of two winning Kerry teams.
A large contingent of those players were preparing to attend the wedding of former Kerry captain Diarmuid Murphy who was getting married in Dingle today.
Kerry footballer and captain Dara Ó Cinnéide was on his way to the wedding today when he paid his tribute. He said he was still shaking with shock at the news. Páidí was "Kerry to the core," Mr Ó Cinnéide said.
Mr Ó Cinnéide added: “The craic seemed to go out of football when Páidí went - this is no reflection on managers who came after him. But football as a game seemed to get more serious.
“Every footballer of my generation has stories about Páidí - he was a well-spring for the stories and the craic. He was Kerry to the core.”
Mr Ó Sé is survived by his wife Máire, his daughters Neasa and Siún and his son Pádraig Óg.
He is also survived by his brother Tom. An older brother Micheál, father of Darragh, Tomás and Marc died 10 years ago.
He began his working life as a garda, but entered the pub business and established his well-known pub and function room at the Ard a' Bothar crossroads west of Ventry.
Chairman of the Kerry County Board, Patrick O’Sullivan, today expressed his deepest sympathies to the Ó Sé family in a statement.
It read: “It is with deep regret that Coiste Chontae Chiarraí has been informed of the unexpected death earlier this morning of one of the county’s most outstanding footballers, Paidí Ó Sé.
“The chairman of Coiste Chontae Chiarraí, Mr Patrick O'Sullivan, on behalf of all GAA Gaels, wishes to express his deep sympathy to the Ó Sé family on this sad occasion.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.”
GAA president Liam O’Neill expressed his sympathies on behalf of the GAA to the Ó Sé family.
He said: “There was hardly a person on the island of Ireland, never mind in the GAA, who did not recognise or know of Páidí Ó Sé, such was his contribution to the Association and to Irish life over a prolonged period.
“His excellence on the field of play in what was the greatest football team of all time still stands out to those of us who saw it and his passion for the game in no way ended with the completion of his playing days.
“His elevation to management, firstly at U21 level but then at senior, saw his reputation further embellished and he is one of the few people to have succeeded in claiming All-Ireland honors both as a manager and a player after a distinguished career that stretched far beyond his native Kerry.
“Páidí's affection for the Irish language and Irish culture in general were other hall marks of a man who was steeped in the area he called home.
“On behalf of the wider GAA family I extend my condolences to his wife Máire, his daughters Siún and Neasa, son Pádraig Óg, brother Tomás and the wider Ó Sé family including his nephews Darragh, Tomás and Marc, all of whom followed his example in the green and gold of Kerry.
“Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal.”
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, who played alongside Ó Sé for Kerry said: “I was shocked to hear this morning of the death of Páidi Ó Sé. Páidi and I were colleagues on the football field for over ten years, but were friends for much longer.
“I was shocked to hear this morning of the death of Páidi Ó Sé. Páidi and I were colleagues on the football field for over ten years, but were friends for much longer,” said Deenihan.
“Páidí will be remembered not only as one of the greatest footballers of his time and also as a very successful manager guiding Kerry to two All-Ireland victories. His talent, commitment and energy were legendary.
“Páidí’s lifetime of achievement earned him great respect, both in Kerry and across the country. His death, so unexpectedly and at so young an age, is a great loss. I would like to extend my deep condolences to his wife Máire, and children Neasa, Siún and Pádraig Óg on their loss.”
Fine Gael TD and former Mayo, Galway and Leitrim manager, John O’Mahony also paid tribute, saying: “As someone who played against him and managed Galway against him in an All-Ireland final in 2000, Páidí became a personal friend over the years and I am deeply shocked at his sad passing.
“Páidí was a great servant of the GAA, as a player and a manager, and he was the life and soul of the party wherever he went. His contribution to the GAA for Kerry and nationally was immense. My sympathy is with his family; his wife Máire and his three children, Neasa, Siún and Pádraig Óg at this difficult time.
“Back in 2001, I accompanied Páidí on all-star trip to Dubai and in the 70s I played against him for Mayo in an All-Ireland final and his prowess in the sporting world was match only by his great companionship off the field. His loyalty to the people he knew and to the GAA was remarkable. He will be sorely missed.”
Past and present players also expressed their shock and sadness at his death on social media.
On Twitter, Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan wrote: “Very sad to hear about Páidí Ó Sé! A legend of the GAA! #RIP.”
Former Armagh footballer Steven McDonnell tweeted: “Shocked to hear of the death of Kerry legend Paidi O'Se. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
