By Declan Bogue

d.bogue@gaeliclife.com

THERE'S only so much anyone, even a Fianna Fail leader with a neck as hard as a jockey's crotch, can take. For Bertie Ahern, the heat from the Mahon Tribunal, which intensified after his former Secretary Grainne Carruth fluffed her lines in front of the bad-ass lawyers, became too much, and he announced his departure from the office of Taoiseach, effective May 6.

For all his faults, and he had as many redeeming qualities as he had blind spots, he was a man who was steeped in a love of GAA. Although it was often claimed his love of the Dubs was a PR-friendly exercise, this was cynicism at its most jaundiced. Throughout the years he kept a close eye on sporting developments, and never sat on the fence when it came to the GAA. Whether it be the offer of support during the Cork players 'strike' or the removal of Rule 42.

Leaving government corruption aside, and his facilitating of American troops re-fuelling in their way to the imperialist war in Iraq, Ahern was good to the Association, and will be a hard act to follow.

Perhaps the hardest thing on the rap sheet for many to swallow will be the shameless vote-grabbing of Fianna Fail coming to the last election, when the promise of Government Grants was made to inter-county players. This has caused considerable unrest among the lower tiers of GAA democracy, with many taking the view that Croke Park maintained a relationship with Government that was too cosy and snug, and left very little room for dissenting voices.

In fairness Ahern was never being behind the door when it came to offering support to the sporting world. The material embodiment of this, his cherished project of a National stadium in Abbotstown, dubbed the 'Bertie Bowl', was canned after a storm of negative publicity. He has gone on record to state that his biggest regret in office was the failure of this particular vanity project.

In its place came a renewed passion for Croke Park, and pushing the ecumenical boat out. Sean Kelly had become a trusted ally in this, and after the resistance displayed by Sean McCague to such a venture, Ahern had a lifeline. Paradoxically, the money promised to the GAA by the Government threatened to scupper the prospect of Croke Park being opened as it brought in extra revenue at a time when it seemed it could only be gained by opening the gates to soccer and rugby.

But change came to the Association, and a seismic shift it was indeed. At the launch of Sean Kelly's memoirs last year, Ahern lent his support and made a speech, in which he stated, "With the passing of the motion on Rule 42, the GAA had further extended the hand of friendship and solidarity to our rugby and soccer players as fellow sportsmen proud of their nation and proud to represent its people. By this ecumenical gesture, the GAA has exemplified a spirit of true sportsmanship, patriotism, openness and generosity."

Rugby and soccer came to Croker and Bertie was there too, gleefully playing the part of the sports-obsessed Dub. And the Leinster three-in-a-row came, and Bertie went, lapping up the successes of Pillar and the Dubs, right up until the present time, and his hurried exit out the door. There's an old adage that defines class as being hounded out of town while making it look like you're leading a parade. Ahern exemplifies that.

Which is where Brian Cowen comes in. A former Offaly player at under-21 level, many will expect him to pick up the slack when it comes to looking after the GAA. It may not be that simple.

The relationship between Cowen and Ahern never soured to the level of the Blair-Brown axis, and the Offaly solicitor has remained steadfast in his support for his leader. During his time as Finance Minister he has never been afraid to flash the cash, one notable statistic being public spending increasing by 11% after his third budget. But with the good times over in the building industry, the suspicion lingers that the Celtic Tiger was little more than a house of cards. The decision to award the Taoiseach a huge pay-rise a couple of months ago, while remonstrating with the rest of the nation that we should be prepared 'to tighten our belts' seemed an effort to make hay while the sun was high in the sky.

However, among all the political obituaries lamenting the loss of Ahern, two phrases stick in the mind: 'The truth will out', and 'Time will judge'. We continue to bear these in mind as Cowen prepares to take on the biggest job of them all.

SIDEBAR

Politics and the GAA

Sir Edward Carson

It takes a stretch of the imagination alright, but the former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, while being educated at Trinity for a role at The Bar, lined out for the University's hurling team. Later he went on to condemn Oscar Wilde to a spell of bread and water at the behest of the Marquess of Queensbury.

Jack Lynch

John Mary 'Jack' Lynch played hurling and football for Cork. His hurling career stretched fifteen seasons between 1936 to 1950. He captured five Liam MacCarthys and one Sam Maguire. He remains the only man to have won six consecutive senior All-Ireland medals, and was named on the Hurling 'Team of the Millennium.' He served as Taoiseach from 1966 to 1973.

Eoin O'Duffy

One of the most controversial figures in Irish politics, O'Duffy was the driving force behind what came to be known as 'Gaelic Sunday'. This came about after British soldiers occupied the Cootehill ground on July 7, 1918 and stopped the Ulster final taking place. Come August 4 and 100,000 people took to the playing fields without applying for permits. In an eventful life he was the original Garda Commissioner and took the fascist side in the Spanish Civil War, forming an Irish Brigade that received a Bishop's Blessing at Dun Laoghire before they went to fight for General Franco. Was Secretary of the Monaghan county Board at the youthful age of twenty and became Secretary of the Ulster Council a year later. Bizarre.

Ian Paisley

Followed a glory-laden underage hurling career with Ballymena All-Saints to his one senior success at full back. Lost his hunger for it and discovered there was far more women action to be gained from screaming on top of a soapbox. A huge talent lost to the Association.