Maybe, definitely: Seán Kelly finally confirms presidential run after attending Oasis gig

The Ireland South MEP took the weekend to consider whether he would seek the Fine Gael presidential nomination and on Tuesday morning confirmed he was now in the race

Seán Kelly confirmed on Tuesday morning he was to seek the Fine Gael nomination for the presidency.

Over the weekend, Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly said he was reconsidering whether to seek the Fine Gael nomination for the presidency.

But, first, he was going to Oasis.

On Tuesday morning, he confirmed that whatever ruminations he would have had when the Gallagher brothers were on stage had led him to want in to the race.

The Ireland South MEP said he was now “enthusiastic” about running for the presidency, after previously ruling it out.

“I'll certainly seek the Fine Gael nomination now, unfortunately, that Mairead McGuinness had to withdraw. And there is a process now by which we can seek nominations over the next five days. So I would be looking for the nomination and after that, and if I'm nominated, I would greatly honoured to represent the party and stand for election for president," Mr Kelly said.

Born in Killarney, he went on to train as a school teacher in Dublin before moving back to the Kingdom, where he became a key figure in Kerry GAA circles, serving as chair of East Kerry GAA from 1975 to 1987, and Kerry GAA from 1987 to 1997. 

He was elected to the Munster Council before becoming the first Kerry man to lead the GAA from 2003 to 2006. In a progressive presidency, he would oversee the establishment of secondary competitions like the Nicky Rackard Cup and the completion of the Croke Park redevelopment.

But his abiding legacy is the abolition of Rule 42, which prohibited foreign sports being played on GAA grounds. Having been told his motions were out of order, Mr Kelly faced down the GAA and made, what he himself called hear this year, "the right call — not just for the GAA, but for Ireland as a whole".

"Looking back, the Rule 42 decision was about more than just sport. It was about who we are as a people. It was about generosity, about stepping up when a neighbour was in need, about embracing modern Ireland while staying true to our roots."

Following his departure from the GAA role, he entered politics. He was first elected to the European Parliament in June 2009 for Ireland South, contributing to an historic victory for Fine Gael in the European elections, polling 92,579 first preferences. 

He was re-elected to this position for a second term in May 2014, and a third in May 2019, topping the poll once again with 118,444 first preferences. In 2024, he became the first MEP over the line as he took a fourth term on the first count in Nemo Rangers in Cork, with 122,777 votes, bringing a surplus of 8,016.

His high profile and large appeal to voters had long seen him linked to the presidency, but in July when Fine Gael nominations opened, he ruled himself out, saying he was enjoying his work as an MEP and continued to be "energised by the enormous challenges facing both Ireland and the European Union".

However, the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness on health grounds has changed the landscape, but Mr Kelly could struggle to get the 20 parliamentary party members required to receive a nomination.