By John Harrington

The sad news of Brian Mullins’ death last week struck a chord not just with the Dublin GAA community, but the GAA community nationwide.

Mullins was one of those very few players who defined their era thanks to a combination of pure ability and force of personality, and his loss is keenly felt by those who saw him in his pomp.

The midfield colossus was one of the greatest players to ever don the sky-blue jersey and was a totemic figure in the Kevin Heffernan managed Dublin teams of the 1970s and 1980s.

Over the course of his career he won four All-Ireland titles, nine Leinster titles, two National Leagues and two All-Star awards, and became a hero of Hill 16 for his inspirational displays in the middle of the field.

Six years ago, in August 2016, he sat down with GAA.ie Chief Writer, John Harrington, over the course of two days to reminisce not just on his stellar sporting career but his life in general.

On today, the day of his funeral, it seems apt to revisit the text of those conversations where he gave a fascinating insight into the forces that shaped him both on and off the pitch.

He spoke about:

• His family’s illustrious GAA gene.

• The formative experience of summers spent with his cousins in Kerry and Clare.

• His time playing inter-provincial rugby with Leinster.

• Winning the 1974 All-Ireland title in his first year on the Dublin panel.

• Kevin Heffernan’s management style and unique personality.

• Dublin's All-Ireland wins in '76 and '77.

• Their famous rivalry with Kerry in the seventies.

• The car-crash that put him out of football for two years.

• Dublin's '83 All-Ireland win and his sending off in the Final.

• Life after football.

To view the full interview, visit here