Coming home from Croke Park with a medal firmly in your grip has its benefits, and no county knows that more than The Kingdom, but Minster for Arts Jimmy Deenihan said footballers who think good looks and sporting fame will secure them a seat in the Dail are sadly mistaken.
It has been reported that retired Kerry footballer Darragh Ó’Sé is being head-hunted by Fianna Fáil.
However, Minister Deenihan, who holds five All-Ireland medals, said Ó’Sé and other footballers like him can’t rely on fame and good looks to sneak their way into government.
According to The Irish Examiner, Deenihan said: “I had five [All-Ireland] medals in 1982 and it was not good enough to win me a seat.”
Will Kerry fashionista Paul Galvin pursue a career in politics?
“If you look back, great Kerry footballers like Mick O’Connell, Con Brosnan, Joe Keohane, Gega O’Connor, Mick Gleeson, they didn’t succeed in elections.
“So it doesn’t automatically guarantee you a seat if you are a Kerry footballer. So that’s a word of caution.
“But anyone who might think about it, irrespective of what party they would run for, would have my best wishes and any advice I can give them about politics, having spent almost 30 years in it, I would be delighted to do so.
“I have only five [All-Ireland] medals and they were a good platform as far as name recognition was concerned.”
The Minister said that success on the pitch in no way lays a platform for a successful political career.
“Any Kerry footballer has to consider it carefully. Name recognition is a big help in politics and that is why parties are inclined to go for footballers, hurlers, TV personalities and whatever. You have footballers and hurlers all over the country, who have been asked to run for politics, but it doesn’t guarantee success,” he said.
While Darragh Ó’Sé may be dreaming about a career in government buildings Kerry’s legendary hothead Paul Galvin has launched his colourful fashion website.
We wonder if he’ll give up his status as a fashionista in favour of a career in the political limelight.
Considering Ireland’s political history, we really wouldn’t be surprised to see Paul ditch the skinny jeans for a slick suit and some podium-lurking.
Do you think an All Ireland medal looks good on the auld CV?
