Both candidates addressed the parliamentary party with final speeches before the vote. Gavin said he had enjoyed meeting members across the country in recent weeks and was eager to share his vision with the party. Kelleher, while accepting the outcome, suggested Fianna Fáil should review how it chooses candidates in the future, noting that greater involvement could strengthen internal debate.
Seventy members cast votes in the ballot, with some using proxies. It was Fianna Fáil’s first presidential candidate selection since 1997.
Gavin is best known for his time as Dublin GAA manager, where he led the team to six All-Ireland titles, including the record five-in-a-row, before stepping down in 2019. Since then, he has remained active in public life. He oversaw revisions to Gaelic football rules, chaired the Citizens’ Assembly on Dublin which recommended a directly elected mayor, and has appeared before the Oireachtas to support those proposals.
He also chairs the North East Inner City Implementation Board, a role he took on voluntarily. Outside of public service, Gavin is chief operations officer with the Irish Aviation Authority, building on earlier service with the Air Corps and the United Nations.
@radionova100fm The people have spoken - what Dublin wants in the next president is trust, unity and most of all, an ability to fill Michael D.’s shoes ☘️ Stay tuned for more, as Radio Nova covers the presidential election ️ #president #ireland #election ♬ original sound - Radio Nova 100
