Current Dublin manager Jim Gavin led the tributes to legendary Dubs boss Kevin Heffernan, who died last weekend aged 83.

Heffo won the All-Ireland title as a player and a manager and was named on the team of the millennium in 2000.

Dublin players past and present attended Tuesday’s funeral along with thousands of fans as the GAA paid tribute to one of the greatest managers ever.

Dublin fans applauded Heffo before the O’Byrne Cup final against Kildare on Saturday night, and Gavin mentioned him in his pre-match team talk before praising him afterwards.

Gavin said, “We mentioned inside before the game the virtues and what Kevin brought to the game of football.

“He was a visionary, a strategist and those guys stand on his shoulders. Certainly I, and the guys there, wouldn’t be where we are in Dublin GAA without the vision of Kevin Heffernan.”

GAA President Liam O’Neill said, “Kevin had an incalculable impact on Gaelic games in this country.

“The Dubs as we know them came into being during his era as he restored success to his native county and a pride in the team that was built on the back of the selection of Dublin-born players.

“He was one of the most charismatic and popular figures the association has ever produced and was at the same time an immensely modest man.

“I would count myself, like countless others, extremely fortunate to have met him on occasions down through the years.

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny also described Heffernan as a real legend.

Kenny said, “He was a truly great player both in hurling and football and tasted All-Ireland football success in 1958 playing for his beloved Dubs.

“Kevin was a giant in every way and to his wife Mary and daughter Orla, I extend my deepest sympathy.”

Dublin County Board chief John Costello paid tribute to Heffernan on behalf of everyone involved with the GAA in the capital.

Costello said in a statement, “Kevin Heffernan was ahead of his times as a player, a manager and an administrator.

“He revolutionized Gaelic football in both how players and teams prepared and operated and also in terms of the philosophy and psychology of our national games.

“For his unparalleled devotion and contribution to Gaelic football and hurling the Association in Dublin will be forever indebted to him.”