Jim would be great in the Áras just like Mary Robinson

DUBS LEGEND O'LEARY INSISTS OLD PAL GAVIN HAS THE CLASS TO BE PRESIDENT

- Roy CURTIS

Gavin's CV has subsequently swelled to match the dimensions of the Croke Park pitch: The GAA's first five-in-a-row manager, freeman of Dublin, UN peacekeeper, army officer, citizen's assembly chair, rule changing saviour of Gaelic football.

And, now, potential successor to Michael D Higgins as Uachtarán ha hÉireann.

Gavin, who once flew the Government jet during his days as an Air Corps pilot, could conceivably find himself as the VIP being ferried across the skies in an updated version of that same aircraft.

As both Gavin's captain and a former Dublin player coaxed to run for Fianna Fail in a General Election (he won 5,074 seats in the Dublin North constituency in 2007, his transfers helping running mates Darragh O'Brien and Michael Kennedy over the line) O'Leary can shine a unique personal light on a story that made so many headlines over the past week.

"Standing for election was a hugely eyeopening experience for me. I'm glad I did it, I really enjoyed it and I'm in some ways thankful I didn't get in.

"Like Jim, I hadn't been involved in politics, It thought me a lot about teamwork, or lack of teamwork. Because the moment the election was over, [the Fianna Fail party] didn't want to f***in' know you.

"Despite being part of the team and making a commitment and I believed in what I was trying to do, that is to contribute locally for the constituency and for Balbriggan, where I came from the team whose jersey you were wearing just disappeared immediately after the final whistle blew on the election count.

"Nobody ever said 'we appreciate you running or the effort you made'. It is so different to sport. The notion of teamwork or loyalty or that we are wearing the same jersey just doesn't exist.

"It was like the Home Store + More advert, when you are gone, you are definitely gone. Having said that, I really did enjoy it, the canvassing and meeting people was great."