Latest news with #Micheál
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Presidential race heats up: A look at the current favourites, long shots and non-runners
It was claimed this was the race no one wanted to enter, but nonetheless, a Grand National-style field is chaotically milling around the starting gates of the Presidential election due to take place later this year. With the final date for candidate selection looming, attempts are being made to bring order and control to the prospective runners and riders. Here we go through the large field of names and break them down into favourites, contenders, long shots and non-runners… Micheál Martin (Fianna Fáil, 8/1) Like Michael Corleone and the Cosa Nostra , every time Micheál tries to leave the Presidential race, his party drags him back in. Were he to run on a 'Grandad of the Nation' ticket, he would be in the final count — but our fabulously indecisive Taoiseach knows nothing is guaranteed. Micheal Martin. Pic: Getty Mairéad McGuinness (Fine Gael, 10/1) Technically the favourite, but concerns are high in Fine Gael that while she will start briskly, she could finish poorly. Front-runners and certainties have a bad history in Áras races. Ask David Norris and Adi Roche. Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin, 12/1) Mary Lou is a formidable campaigner who actually connects with the voter. Best suited perhaps to a short sprint. Running could be a political shot to nothing — unless Mary Lou ends up as the sweeper candidate who gets Catherine Connolly over the line. Then we'd have trouble. Mary Lou McDonald. Pic: Fran Veale Catherine Connolly (Independent, 12/1) If the left can get its act together, the spiritual heir to Michael D. Higgins — despite their personal rivalry — has a real chance. Those of a mischievous political nature will know she would be an absolute thorn in the side of the Coalition. Bertie Ahern (Fianna Fáil, 25/1) A riddle in an enigma, Ahern is the most qualified candidate — but that's not how these things work. The Áras is a great contest of respectability, and there are too many spooks in the Bertie attic. The time for Bertie to get nervous is if Micheál calls him in and makes him an offer he'd be very wise to refuse — though that is very unlikely. Tony Holohan (Independent, 33/1) As Fianna Fáil scrambles for someone more credible than a couple of retired soccer players, could Tony Holohan surprise? With party backing, the odds on 'the people's doctor' could tighten quickly — and more than Fianna Fáil could be interested. A politically attractive name. Tony Holohan. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ Niall Quinn / Packie Bonner (Fianna Fáil, 33/1) Two sporting wild cards from the Jack Charlton soccer era. It could go very well, but also has the potential to resemble Eamon Coughlan's brief Fine Gael career. It ended in the Seanad. Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, 40/1) She's very good at the smiling, emoting and looking regal part of the post. But she would have a lot of work to do to overcome the innate partitionist instincts of the Southern voter — and that's just when it comes to Cork candidates. Lynn Boylan (Sinn Féin, 50/1) In the absence of much better, she has come late to the fray. Much has been made of her EU vote, but since topping the poll with 23.6% in 2013, her vote has remained around 10%. Gerry Adams (Sinn Féin, 50/1) He has the same chance as Bertie. We'll leave it at that. Gerry Adams. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire John Finucane (Sinn Féin, 50/1) With his life story, he could contend — but is expected to prefer to stick with the grown-ups in the Northern head office rather than a 14-year stretch in the prison of the Phoenix Park. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Fianna Fáil, 66/1) Sparkly and energetic. Elbowed her way through a reasonably impressive field by EU election standards. Unlikely — but not impossible. A.N. Other (Aontú mystery candidate, 75/1) There's talk of Aontú stitching together enough votes to nominate a mystery candidate. Some believe it might be Declan Ganley — which would be a case of too little, too opinionated. Mary Hanafin (Fianna Fáil, 80/1) Ms Hanafin said it would be 'an insult' if Fianna Fáil didn't run a candidate. It would — but it's more likely the party ends up running her. Eamon Ryan (Greens, 80/1) Deserves the chance to hear the public view on initiatives like bicycle carriages in trains where, unlike the standing hoi polloi, bikes can have a rest. Minister Eamon Ryan. Pic: Fran Veale Mike Ryan (Labour, 80/1) A well-intentioned UN bureaucrat that nobody knows. Likely to fare as well as his Labour sponsors: that is, around 5%. Fergus Finlay (Labour, 80/1) Likely to fare only slightly better than Mr Ryan. Peter Power (Fianna Fáil, 100/1) Apparently was a minister back in the day. Already dubbed 'Mr 3%' — in reference to his polling. A nice guy, but we all know where they finish. Colum Eastwood (Anyone at this stage, 100/1) The former SDLP leader is still — apparently — in the running. Fintan O'Toole (Independent, 100/1) Political credibility vanished after failing to show up for service in the 2011 election. Conor McGregor (Independent, 250/1) Someone should tell him that unlike Trump, being President doesn't let you pardon yourself. That might cool his jets. Conor McGregor. Pic: Edward Berthelot/GC Images Mick Wallace (Independent, 250/1) A case of 'send in the clowns', but the idea of Mick — and political partner Clare Daly — in the Park is fleetingly tempting, just for the nosebleeds it would cause. Peter Casey (Independent, 250/1) Too much competition these days in the dog-whistling market. Michael Flatley (Who knows?, 250/1) Says he's been approached by 'people in the know' — but doesn't know himself if he's keen. Jumping from Lord to President might not be that hard though. Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael) Wily Fine Gael fox read the room and got out swiftly. Mairéad, take note. Miriam O'Callaghan (Independent) Would have to run as an Independent, but the running would suit Fianna Fáil, which might take the 'spontaneous' decision to back 'our Miriam'. Still 20/1 despite seemingly ruling herself out. Miriam O'Callaghan. Pic: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael) A clever campaigner who was an early favourite. Also made a smart early exit. Mairéad, take note again. Seán Kelly (Fine Gael) Clever fox spent some time sniffing around before bolting back to the burrow. Frances Black (Independent) She's in. She's out. She's in. No one cares anymore. Joe Duffy (Possibly Labour) Wisely took another page from Gaybo's book and decided fronting Aldi ads is a better retirement plan. Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Máire Geoghegan-Quinn (Fianna Fáil) Has a life — and intends to keep it. Silence makes it abundantly clear no amount of excitable FF TDs will change that. Jarlath Burns (Independent) Decided that being President of the GAA was the better gig. Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil) Exited the race before embarrassing himself further. Holly Cairns (Social Democrats) Could have stood on a 'Something different… something nice' ticket, but her party wisely decided to focus on actual politics.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Micheál Martin on relationship with father, political ambitions and Cork hopes
Micheál Aodh Martin and his father keep an eye on how the other is performing but, beyond that, they don't tend to swap opinions. 'We probably have a mutual thing there,' explains the Cork football goalkeeper of that aspect of his relationship with his namesake. 'I won't scrutinise his performance if he doesn't scrutinise mine! We've probably both learned over the years that it doesn't work otherwise." Still, during his first spell as Taoiseach, when the Covid-19 pandemic was raging and inter-county training and games were shut down, the younger Micheál couldn't resist the odd light-hearted barb, but not so much now. "Yeah, in fairness, over the last couple of years the WhatsApp has gotten a bit quieter and I don't give him as much stick. 'But I'd say he's probably enjoying this year more. I think anyone in his generation cannot understand the handpass. You'd be trying to explain. He kind of gave up on that one a few years ago and doesn't scrutinise it too much." The Fianna Fáil leader is a regular at his son's games - but plenty of others too. "He'd go to all the hurling as well. He genuinely loves it. If you check who Nemo were playing in the junior league, and my brother plays with our junior team, he'd be a good attendee at their Division 7 league games as well. That'd be his break really." His father isn't the only politician in the family with the Taoiseach's brother, Seán Martin, the sitting on Cork City Council and another sibling, Pádraig, has also dabbled, though Micheál Aodh, who works in corporate finance for PwC, is somewhat coy when asked about the prospect of putting his name forward some day. "I think I've enough on my plate now. Inter-county football definitely takes up most of my time and I'm happy in the day job." In the long-term? "Look, we're all interested in it. Whether I'd have an interest in taking on a role, because I can see what it entails, I haven't thought that far ahead. I just have an interest in him and the issues locally. 'Really, to be honest, I have an ambition with Cork. I really want Cork football to keep improving. That's my driver at the moment. I'd love to get back into big games." In that regard, they had a huge opportunity last month when pushing Kerry to extra time in the Munster semi-final only to lose narrowly. In the head to heads, they've been getting closer to their fiercest rivals in recent years but having had them on the rack with an extra man for long periods, Martin doesn't subscribe to the view that this was the chance they simply had to take. "That's not the way I'd look at it, no. We beat them in 2020 and subsequently didn't win a Munster Championship. The goal was to win a Munster Championship and Cork haven't won it for a long time. 'No member of our squad has a Munster medal so that was our goal going into it. We fell short and then you just move on and you have to get ready for the All-Ireland series. 'We have no interest in getting close. We just have to move on now and hopefully have a good All-Ireland series." They don't have to wait too long to face Kerry again in any event, with the counties both drawn in Group 2 of the All-Ireland series, though Cork start with a trip to Meath tomorrow. The new rules have changed the game for everyone, though it is Martin's position that is most profoundly affected. Apart from the kickout having to go longer and the restrictions on goalkeepers joining the play, he says much more is demanded of him in terms of goalmouth action now. 'Year on year, you probably spent less time doing the old, traditional stuff to do with goalkeeping like shot-stopping, handling, high balls. 'But actually that's increased because there are two-pointers dropping short in and around the square so you have to command your square and make good decisions around that. And then also there are definitely more shots per game on goal. 'I wonder if that will increase now as the summer goes on.' His Tyrone counterpart Niall Morgan said that the position would be much less attractive to him if goalkeepers were not allowed to join the play outfield, but Martin was drawn to the position because he 'always enjoyed saving the ball'. Indeed, he keeps goal for Nemo Rangers in hurling too. 'I wouldn't be as against that rule change or anything like that [goalkeepers roaming]. But that will always come down to personal preferences and goalkeepers should really not have too much of a say in that debate because that rule change is about the game for the spectator, as opposed to a goalkeeper's individual feelings.' Be it his father's politics or goalkeeping, Martin knows when to keep a lid on things.
