VOTE MARTIN

Micheál Aodh is in no danger of losing his seat with Rebels ahead of Meath clash but Taoiseach's son wouldn't rule out handling political footballs in future...

- BY PAT NOLAN

MICHEÁL AODH MARTIN and his father keep an eye on how the other is performing but, beyond that, they don't tend to swap opinions.

"We probably have a mutual thing there," explains the Cork football goalkeeper of that aspect of his relationship with his namesake.

"I won't scrutinise his performance if he doesn't scrutinise mine! We've probably both learned over the years that it doesn't work otherwise."

Still, during his first spell as Taoiseach, when the Covid pandemic was raging and inter-county training and games were shut down, the younger Micheál couldn't resist the odd light-hearted barb, but not so much now.

"Yeah, in fairness, over the last couple of years the WhatsApp has gotten a bit quieter and I don't give him as much stick.

"But I'd say he's probably enjoying this year more. I think anyone in his generation cannot understand the handpass. Youd be trying to explain. He kind of gave up on that one a few years ago and doesn't scrutinise it too much."

The Fianna Fáil leader is a regular at his son's games - but plenty of others too.

"He'd go to all the hurling as well. He genuinely loves it. If you check who Nemo were playing in the junior league, and my brother plays with our junior team, he'd be a good attendee at their Division 7 league games as well. That'd be his break really."