Roy, Pat, Joanne, Anna... Cork candidates for future president

The prospects for the tenth presidency of Ireland are becoming clearer as the nomination deadline looms. But, alas, no Cork contender.

Ex-dancers, weather forecasters, a man who used to fight for a living, and TV presenters have fallen by the wayside. The remaining presidential hopefuls are a mixed bunch.

One entrepreneur seems to believe that floating a company on the stock exchange is qualification enough to represent the people of Ireland.

With Billy Kelleher losing out to Jim Gavin for the Fianna Fáil nomination, hopes were dashed that Cork might do the political double this year - Taoiseach and President from Cork.

The Áras has hosted Mayo, Dublin, and Longford-born presidents - but never a Cork native. Only two people with solid Cork connections - Adi Roche (1997 election) and Liadh Ní Riada (2018 election) have appeared on the presidential ballot.

For all its proud tradition of producing Taoisigh, ministers, and revolutionaries, Cork has never seen one of its own sworn in as Uachtarán na hÉireann.

What qualities do we look for in a president? Eloquence? Compassion? Pride? Talent to host a good shindig and a gift for small talk must also be high up on the list of desired attributes.

Historically, the office has been dominated by people from political and legal backgrounds, with Douglas Hyde, the cultural leader, a rare exception. Yet the eligibility rules allow for surprise candidates - cultural figures, sports heroes, and charismatic independents.

If the Rebel County is ever to break its presidential drought, it might just take a household name who already inspires pride far beyond politics. Here are a few Cork wildcards to consider.

Roy Keane

The Mayfield man needs no introduction. President Keane would bring a ‘realness’ to the office. Sure, he lacks the legal qualifications or experience of predecessors, but think of the viral internet memes generated by Keane’s presidential campaign.

The hard stare retorts to Miriam O’Callaghan in a live debate. The riling of other candidates at hustings. Imagine the eye rolls at the pomp of ceremonial duties if he was elected. Or the blunt disses to visiting dignitaries whose political record he disagrees with.

His ‘just get on with it” approach to diplomacy would certainly be, how should I put it, refreshing.

Pat Ryan

Inspiring a gaggle of young Irish males to train in the hard winter months, sacrifice weekends and shin bones all for the love of a Gaelic game is the kind of unifying leadership we need in these splintered days.

“We love you, Pat,” declared Rob Downey, Cork’s captain, after the Munster Final win. Not a bad potential campaign slogan for the former Cork hurling manager.

Ryan’s million-miles-an-hour post-match interviews demonstrated a talent for quick thinking and quick talking. President Ryan could double the work rate of the presidency simply by speeding up delivery of his speeches.

His recent retirement from hurling management frees him up for a seven-year term in the Phoenix Park. And sure, it’s a grand spot for a puck around.

Joanne O’Riordan

Disability activist, sports journalist, and lawyer in training. Millstreet’s Joanne O’Riordan’s infamous clash with Enda Kenny back in 2011 first brought her to public attention. This was a girl who wasn’t afraid to speak up.

She asked Enda what he was going to do to improve the lives of people living with a disability. He vowed not to reduce funding but went on to cut the disability payment in that year’s budget.

Fourteen years later, people with disabilities still feel like second class citizens and O’Riordan is still using her voice to draw attention to daily obstacles people with disabilities encounter.

She wants Ireland to move from a charitable model of disability services to an enabling one. What better way to push that agenda than from the highest office in the land?

With her legal training and deep appreciation of constitutional rights, she could be a powerful voice for thousands of people with disabilities - and their carers.

Alas, Joanne is yet to turn 30 so she is ineligible for this year’s election but crank up a GoFundMe.

#Election2032 here she comes!

Anna Geary

The former Cork camogie All-Star turned media personality always seems like a woman on a mission.

Four All-Ireland winner medals, three-time winning coach on Ireland’s Fittest Family, author, content creator, wife and mother. She is one of those accomplished, high achieving types who balances it all with style and grace.

If elected, President Geary would no doubt roll up her sleeves, master all that is required to fulfil her presidential duties, and ace the task. All while feeding us adorable online content of her babógs toddling and crawling along the plush carpets of the Áras alongside relatable videos of her putting out the bins in the Phoenix Park.

Other future Cork contenders with more traditional experience and political pedigrees include Michael McGrath, Micheál Martin, and Billy Kelleher, but I know why there has never been a Cork president to date. Esteemed job title, fancy house, and generous pay package aside, it would be the stuff of nightmares for a true Corkonian to be exiled in Dublin for seven years!