Gray out of GAA election

JIMMY GRAY will be at the GAA's Annual Congress in London this weekend, but not as a presidential candidate. The popular Dubliner yesterday withdrew from the race and admitted: "I can't ever see myself seeking that office again."

A defeated candidate two years ago when Jack Boothman was elected, Gray was nominated to run for the position again by Kildare. "I was unaware of their intention to nominate me and I am thankful to them, but after mulling things over for the past couple of weeks I have decided not to let my name go forward," he said.

Gray, a former chairman of the Dublin County Board and the Leinster Council, will attend the congress in the Royal Lancaster Hotel in his position as trustee of the GAA.

As things stand, three candidates - Joe McDonagh of Galway, Sean McCague of Monaghan and Noel Walsh of Clare - are declared runners for the presidency. The winner of the vote this weekend will succeeds Boothman, whose term finishes next year.