Political football: eight athletes who turned to politics

YESTERDAY WE TOLD you that Waterford senior hurling manager and Clare legend Davy Fitzgerald is in the frame to contest a Dáil seat for the Labour party.

The Sixmilebridge man would be the latest in a long line of sportsstars-turned-politicians. Here’s eight of the best:

Political football: eight athletes who turned to politics

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Seb Coe
One of the greatest middle-distance runners ever - winning 1500 gold twice - 'Lord Coe' has his hands full these days with organising the London Olympics.
Dick Spring
Before he became Tánaiste in the early 90s, Spring played Gaelic football and hurling for Kerry. His father Dan won two senior All-Ireland medals but Dick was better known as an accomplished rugby player lining out for Ireland and Munster.Source: Haydn West/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Jack Lynch
The Corkman won five All-Ireland hurling titles and one football Celtic Cross with the Rebels. He went on to be Taoiseach between 1977 and 1979. Pretty impressive, I guess.
John O’Mahony
The Mayo native led fierce rivals Galway to All-Ireland gold in 2001. He took over as Mayo chief and was elected to the Dáil for Fine Gael in 2007. He's since stepped down as manager. Source: Inpho
Manny Pacquiao
The Filipino became the first boxer in history to earn world championships in seven different weight classes - which is great. But less than a year later, Pacquiao upset heavy favorite Roy Chiongbian in the race to represent the province of Sarangani in the Philippine Congress.
Jesse 'The Body' Ventura
Jesse "the Body" Ventura seamlessly transferred from a life of pro wrestling to the governor's house of Minnesota. He served from 1999 to 2003 and didn't seek a second term.
Ronald Reagan
The Gipper played baseball and American football as well as having a Hollywood acting career. Somewhere along the line, he found time to govern the most powerful democracy on earth at the time.
George Weah
The former AC Milan striker was the first African to be named the world's best player in 1995. Ten years later he lost a runoff for president in Liberia but has since announced his intentions to challenge next year.Source: David Karp/AP/Press Association Images