Public divided as GAA’s most influential man emerges as strong Presidential candidate

This would be a big call.

It was reported earlier today that former Dublin boss Jim Gavin is in the running to become Fianna Fáil's presidential nominee.

According to the Irish Independent, he has been approached by a number of party TDs and senators about putting himself forward.

Gavin won six All-Ireland SFC titles in charge of the Sky Blues, including five in a row from 2015 to 2019.

More recently, he has been in charge of the GAA Football Review Committee, who have revolutionised the sports with their new rules brought in for 2025.

His achievements also extend into the public service, with the 54-year-old previously serving as an officer with the Defence Forces, while he is currently the chief operations officer at the Irish Aviation Authority.

He has also been the chairman of the Citizens’ Assembly on Dublin, and was awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2020.

A Fianna Fáil TD said: “He has been approached by several Oireachtas members that want him to stand. It is expected he will enter the race for the Fianna Fáil nomination. I would predict [he will declare] towards the end of next week – unless he changes his mind."

If Gavin is successful he would be up against Independent Catherine Connolly, and Heather Humphreys, who is looking likely to be Fine Gael's candidate.