Mick Clifford: Does public service beckon for Gareth Sheridan now he can't run for presidency?

At the start of the summer, Gareth Sheridan waltzed into the public square and announced he wants to be the president. If he had been serious, he would have started much earlier in the year, writes Mick Clifford

Gareth Sheridan (left) with his wife Heidi outside Offaly County Council offices in Tullamore on Monday. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

He came, he campaigned, he failed, but maybe he will return to fail better until he succeeds. Gareth Sheridan fell at the final fence in his bid to get a nomination to run for president. 

On one level, he ran a professional campaign, obviously retained some political smarts and threw a few bob into it. All of which is to be commended.