What is it about soccer and Galway politicians? Terryland is so full of them that Galway United’s home ground could nearly be regarded as the ‘second council chamber’!
Go to Galway United’s home matches any Friday night and collecting your ticket or entrance fee will be former mayor Martin Quinn, who is hoping to stand again for Fianna Fáil in the 2009 Local Elections.
As you read the programme notes for the match, there is a chance it will include an article penned by Mike Geraghty, who ran for the PDs in 2004 and who many think will stand as an Independent next year.
Looking around the stands you will see a football twist on the Mullingar accord - Labour Party president and Galway West TD Michael D Higgins, the Fine Gael Mayor of Galway Cllr Padraig Conneely, Labour councillors Tom Costello and Billy Cameron, and Labour member and local businessman Neil McNeilus - all watching the game.
Cllr Declan McDonnell has a long association with football in Galway city and is the secretary of Mervue United FC and Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael J Crowe is known to shout for Man Utd. Fianna Fáil Cllr John Connolly is a Gunner through and through, who can sometimes be seen wearing an Arsenal retro shirt from the Liam Brady era.
Spare a thought though for those of us who follow Connacht in the rugby and loyally turn up at the Sportsground no matter what the weather and come back to the next home game no matter what the previous week’s result! I don’t see any politicians there. I just hope it’s not a case of political discrimination against Galway’s rugger fans!
