John O'Mahony to contest election for Fine Gael

All-Ireland football winning manager John O’Mahony today confirmed his intention to run for Fine Gael in the next General Election.

The high profile GAA man, who has managed Mayo, Galway and Leitrim, said he would allow his name to go forward as a candidate at the party’s General Election convention in Mayo on Sunday, June 11.

“After much thought and deliberation I have decided to throw my hat into the political ring and, if selected at convention, attempt to secure an extra seat for Fine Gael in Mayo at the General Election next year,” he said.

“Mayo will be a critically important constituency for the Party and I hope to help win an extra seat to make Enda Kenny the next Taoiseach, and the first one ever from Mayo.”

Mr O’Mahony paid tribute to party leader Enda Kenny and said he had been impressed by the way he has prepared the Fine Gael team for the forthcoming contest.

“After several conversations with Enda I am determined to take my place on that team,” he said.

“With just over a week to the convention all my energies are now focussed on securing a nomination to represent the Party.

“If successful at convention I would then plan to do everything in my power to take the extra seat for Fine Gael in Mayo and ensure that Enda Kenny becomes Taoiseach in a new and better Government.”

Mr O’Mahony, who was born in Kilmovee, Co Mayo, is a teacher in St Nathy’s secondary school in Ballaghdereen.

He won All-Ireland titles playing for Mayo Minors and Under 21s in 1971 and 1974 respectively.

He managed the Mayo Under 21s to an All-Ireland title in 1983, before going on to manage the Mayo senior team to their first back to back Connacht titles in 1988 and 1989.

In 1989 Mayo also reached the All-Ireland final under O’Mahony’s stewardship.

Since then he has gone on to manage Leitrim to their first ever Connacht Title in 1994 and Galway to All-Ireland successes in 1998 and 2001.