HE was tipped to take the highest honour in the GAA by becoming its new president in April.
But Ballyshannon man Tom Daly shocked supporters today by announcing that he is pulling out of the race for the Croke Park hotseat.
Daly, a hugely respected figure in both Donegal and Ulster GAA circles, explained that he simply could not give his all to the three year term required in the GAA’s top job.
“In making this decision, I have had to balance both personal and professional commitments against the three-year, full-time and intense level of commitment that the GAA presidency entails,” he said in a statement..
“I deeply appreciate my nomination for this prestigious position and the many offers of support which I have received from throughout the Association,” said the Aodh Rua man.
Despite three candidates in the race for the job, former Ulster Council president Daly was a hot favourite for the post having garnered support from up and down the country.
It leaves just two nominees – Liam O’Neill from Laois and Seamus Howlin of Wexford – to contest the position. Tipperary’s Con Hogan withdrew his candidacy earlier this month.
O’Neill and Howlin will now go head-to-head in April with the election due to take place on the eve of Congress to see who will replace Christy Cooney.
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