Time to inject some moral courage and authority in the presidential race

SURELY, at a time when we are scratching around for celebrity candidates to take the bare look off the race for the Áras, the obvious choice has been inexplicably overlooked. It’s high time for John Giles, the nation’s natural leader, to step up.

Sure, we may have to face up to an occasional riot of our own as our youths come to terms with a manifesto that withdraws all access to Playstations, stereo systems and third-level education.

But it will be for their own good. And I’d like to think a Gilesy presidency would do us all a lot of good. It would certainly make me a lot more excira and delira than the current people’s champion.

It was 2002 when we last suffered a major embarrassment in the Phoenix Park. Then the Irish team returned from Japan and South Korea to a mixed welcome from Gaybo’s protégé Joe Duffy. Anyone who was there or tuned in will never forget “Damien Duff Dizziness” or “Given by name, Given by nature.”

It took Gilesy back in studio to cut through the nonsense. “You’re lucky Joe Duffy wasn’t interviewing you in 1994, Ray.”

Nonsense would be nowhere on his agenda. When he first lined out for Ireland in 1959, he shook hands with then president Éamon de Valera. But he didn’t dwell on it too much. “de Valera was there to do his business and I was there to do mine.”

Gilesy would do his business as well in the park as he did on it. Respected, maybe feared, beyond these shores, he would bring a quiet, authoritative dignity to the gig. He’s already begun the work of a figurehead with his foundation for young footballers. Most of all, Gilesy would have no interest whatsoever in the job. That’s what you want.