The worlds of sport and politics are often uncomfortable bedfellows but Enda Kenny was having none of that as he completed a week of sporting photo opportunities in the early stages of his own personal marathon to complete a successful referendum next month.
After a visit to Punchestown Races on Thursday he was back on home turf in Mayo on Saturday as he climbed Croagh Patrick raising money for charities.
He was bedecked in a ‘3’ sponsored Irish jersey as he led the hikers in company with Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni and FAI Chief Executive John Delaney.  Sports Minister Michael Ring was also to the fore in his local constituency as was fellow TD and former Gaelic football county manager John O’Mahoney.  The three would have been expected to be wearing Elvery’s jerseys on Sunday though Mayo fell short in the Allianz National Football League final against Cork.
While the event on Saturday was a great fundraiser for local charities there was significant comment on social media and in traditional outlets about the fact that Trapatonni had passed on one of the final remaining opportunities to check the wellbeing of Irish players in the English Premier League.
He will name his squad for the Euro 2012 Championships on this day week.
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