Seán Kelly (GAA President)

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Seán Kelly (born April 26, 1952) is the former President of the Gaelic Athletic Association. He was succeeded by Nickey Brennan who was formally declared as the 35th President of the GAA at their annual congress in Killarney during April 2006.

Sean Kelly was born in Kilcummin, County Kerry in April 1952. Kelly was born into a family that was deeply involved in Gaelic Athletic Association, as four of his uncles had distinguished playing careers with their county as Gaelic footballers. He was educated at Tralee Christian Brothers School and later at St. Brendan's in Killarney, before attending St. Patricks college of education in Dublin where he qualified as a national school teacher. Kelly also attended University College Dublin where he received a Bachelor of Arts in education. He worked as a teacher since the 1970s, before being elected President of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 2003, the first Kerryman to hold the position. His tenure as President ended in 2006. He has been responsible for much progress in the Association, notably rule changes and the introduction of the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cup competitions. He is also credited with the successful conclusion of arrangements for the use of the GAA's national stadium, Croke Park , by the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Football Association of Ireland, while the stadium of the IRFU at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, is being re-developed (with re-development due to commence in 2007). He is generally regarded as one of the most solo-running GAA presidents of the modern era.

Speculation surrounded his intentions after his term as president of the GAA was completed at Easter 2006, with some suggesting that he is to seek a nomination for election at the 2007 parliamentary general elections. He formerly sought election to Killarney town council, on the behalf of the Fine Gael party, but has given no definite answer as to whether he will contest for the party for the Kerry South constituency at the next Irish General Election. He is related through marriage to the party leader Enda Kenny. Whatever happens, few are in any doubt that he used his GAA presidency to serve personal ends.

Preceded by Seán McCague

President of the Gaelic Athletic Association 2003-2006

Succeeded by Nickey Brennan