Paul Hosford: Jim Gavin's Áras race lasted two weeks. His exit may reverberate for much longer

'Mr Gavin seemed genuinely surprised at the strength of media questioning he faced. Perhaps the consistent success he enjoyed as Dubs boss shielded him from this level of scrutiny'

Jim Gavin and (left) Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin. File Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

What just happened there?

Jim Gavin's official candidacy for the presidency of Ireland lasted just less than two weeks, but may reverberate much longer.

Mr Gavin's withdrawal, coming on foot of reports he had failed to pay back over €3,000 to a former tenant, ends an unlikely, uncomfortable and unsuccessful run for the country's highest office.

It was, in truth, the lack of comfort which contributed to much of his lack of success, the withdrawal coming at the end of a week which kicked off with a combative if stilted debate performance, through to a dreadful first poll which had him in last, to a second debate in which he failed to express himself clearly or coherently and a press conference in which he failed to answer questions on whether he accepted his failure to register the tenancy meant he had broken the law.

But Mr Gavin had never looked comfortable on the political stage. 

Missteps

At his first press doorstep, a chaotic affair on the footpath outside Leinster House, he seemed taken aback that the media would question his background or his bona fides. He was a football manager, yes, but this was senior hurling. That experience would have been daunting for anyone, never mind a political neophyte, so a certain amount of leeway was allowed. 

And there were signs that by the time the National Ploughing Championships had rolled around, he was more comfortable. Even that, however, came off the back of online ridicule of a campaign announcement video which showed Mr Gavin, of Clondalkin in west Dublin, on a farm in cream pants for some reason.

By the time he reached Co Offaly, he was better attired and seemed comfortable enough with the handshaking and backslapping part of the campaign, but a listen back to his press events often revealed he was using a lot of words to not say anything. 

Many will point to the poll in the Sunday Independent newspaper as a reason for Mr Gavin's exit — he was third on 15% — but more instructive is a question within the poll. When asked by pollsters what factor was most important to them in voting, 54% said speaking skills. 

Mr Gavin had no issue talking, but his answers often contained vagueness or empty words and he struggled to articulate why he wanted the job or why he was a better choice than Catherine Connolly or Heather Humphreys. One suspects that were you able to catch him in a candid or unguarded moment, he could easily tell you what he thinks of any number of issues, but with microphones in front of you, it is a different context.

Irish presidential candidates Heather Humphreys, Catherine Connolly, and Jim Gavin, who withdrew on Sunday. Picture: Conor O'Mearain/PA Wire

Mr Gavin seemed genuinely surprised at the strength of the media questioning he faced. Perhaps the consistent success he enjoyed as Dubs boss shielded him from this level of scrutiny, perhaps political journalists are just harsher, but it seemed at times like Mr Gavin either wasn't prepared or didn't think the media mattered. 

But politics isn't football. If a football manager is clipped with the media, he can prepare a team to execute a plan. If a politician does the same, the public believes they are brusque, or narky, or not capable of answering questions. 

When the independent candidate Gareth Sheridan was being questioned from all sides about his attempts to get on the ballot, I spoke to a government backbencher who told me that outsiders to politics, particularly those who have been successful in other fields, often believe it to be easy. But, they added, there is a level of scrutiny that is unlike anything you can imagine. 

It's not just answering press questions. It's online, it's lobbyists, stakeholders, other parties, your own party, your own self-doubt and insecurities. 

Politics is and remains a game for only the thickest of skins and, often, necks. If you want to enter it, you may find out that all of your past transgressions and interactions are suddenly held up to the light.

Mr Gavin's campaign suffered missteps this week with his use of drones and pictures of members of the Defence Forces. The constant reporting made some question if someone had it out for Mr Gavin. The truth in politics is not who has it out for you, it's how many people. 

In an interview published in Sunday's Independent, Mr Gavin said his wife had asked him when disgusting rumours swirled online about their family, "is this the price you pay for being in the public eye?". Those rumours are not and should not ever be considered part and parcel of politics. But the rest of it largely is, and that is something Mr Gavin never seemed to be at ease with.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

With him gone from the race, attention now turns to his party. Not just leader Micheál Martin's command of his TDs and senators, having gambled on Mr Gavin, but whether Fianna Fáil, which has not contested an election since 1997, will back Ms Humphreys as a show of coalition unity or sit it out entirely.

Mr Gavin's name will remain on the ballot paper on October 24 and his impact may carry on much longer still.