Kelly ‘not afraid to get suit dirty’ as he mucks about for votes

The belief that the GAA is a fertile training ground for politics seems to ring true for a former president of the country’s biggest sporting organisation, Sean Kelly.

Everywhere he goes, the South Fine Gael MEP — under whose leadership of the GAA, Croke Park was opened up to rugby and soccer — is instantly recognisable to many people.

“Yes, a lot of people know me through the GAA and, hopefully, will see I did reasonably well as president. Rugby and soccer people, in general, are also very grateful that Croke Park has been opened to their sports,’’ he said.