Today brought news that Ger Brennan has joined the Soldiers of Destiny. It is unknown whether he intends to run for the Dail next year (presuming that's when the election is) but Bertie Ahern and his former election agent Chris Wall are pushing for Brennan to run.
What of the other sporting figures who have been asked to run - and have held out thus far...
John Delaney
That masterful portrait 'John the Baptist', a filmic experience which in no way resembles 'United Passions' in its absurd vaingloriousness, contains several nice vignettes of Delaney's time as head of the FAI and before it.
Back during the fag end of the boom, when Ireland were tenants in Croke Park, a prominent Fianna Failer approached Delaney and asked him would he consider giving it a whirl.
Delaney chose to deprive the Dail of his presence.
I was (asked) by a Fianna Fail minister in Croke Park one day would I run in either South Tipperary or Waterford and in one tenth of a second I said 'No'... He meant it now. It wasn't a throwaway offer... For me, I love football...
Maybe when the crash hit, John Delaney would have told Mr. Trichet what he thought of him... 'with expletives'.
Colm Cooper
It would be easier to list out all the GAA players that have not been asked to run for office. Including current players. The Fine Gaelers tried to enlist Cooper, if not for the next election, then certainly for future ones.
Their optimism was based on the grounds that his late father Michael was the chairman of the local Killarney Fine Gael branch.
Darragh O'Se
Fianna Fail were very hot for O'Se ahead of the 2011 general election. His uncle Paidi's friendship with Charlie Haughey was well known and he was asked his views on Darragh's possible candidacy.
He remained tight lipped, saying he'd 'let Darragh be accounting for himself'.
Tony Browne
Political correspondents often have a rather quaint, distant way of dealing with the GAA. It was remarked that Tony Browne, in addition to being 40 and popular, was 'well regarded within GAA circles'.
That's certainly true.
The 1998 hurler of the year was approached before the 2011 election but declined. Micheal Martin renewed the approach and Browne is apparently 'seriously considering' running for the party next time around.
