Micheal Ó Muircheartaigh to make decision on Presidential run by next week

Retired broadcaster gives serious consideration to election bid

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GAA commentator and legend Micheal O Muircheartaigh

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Legendary Gaelic Games commentator Micheal Ó Muircheartaigh is now a serious contender to run in Ireland’s Presidential election.

The 80-year-old Kerryman has confirmed on Irish national radio that he is ‘really considering’ entering the race to succeed Mary McAleese.

Ó Muircheartaigh was first mooted as an independent candidate after his former colleague Gay Byrne officially withdrew his name from the hat at the weekend.

The broadcaster, who only retired from the state run RTE last year, has been inundated with messages of support from all walks of Irish life since his name was linked with the job.

“I am really considering a bid for the presidency,” Ó Muircheartaigh told the Morning Ireland radio show on Tuesday.

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He added: “I will make a decision between now and the end of next week after I consult my family.

“I’ve become involved through chance. I never set out to be anything in the political sphere.

“What’s really got to me is the vast surge of support from the people.”

A noted Irish language enthusiast, Ó Muircheartaigh wouldn’t say which political parties had contacted him in recent days.

“I have been promised support from people who would like to see me in the contest,” he said. “If I run, I would “certainly run as an independent.”

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