BREAKING: Tipperary candidate Ger Ryan falls short in bid for GAA Presidency at Congress 2026

Ger Ryan has become the first Tipperary man since Seamus O Riain to become GAA President

Tipperary's bid to return to the top office of the Gaelic Athletic Association fell short tonight as Ger Ryan was defeated in the race for the presidency at GAA Congress 2026 in Croke Park, Dublin.

Wexford's Derek Kent beat the Templederry Kenyon's man to the post to be elected the 42nd President of the GAA.

Ryan’s campaign had raised hopes of seeing a Premier County man installed as president for the first time since Séamus Ó Riain, and what would have been Tipperary’s fifth holder of the office overall, but delegates ultimately voted elsewhere following a keenly contested ballot.

Some 277 votes were cast in the election, with Ryan winning 76 votes while the newly elected Derek Kent hit a whopping total of 169, hitting the quota with 30 votes to spare in the first count to be elected. John Murphy of Sligo was the other candidate and had 32 votes cast his way.