TD Peter Fitzpatrick says he would love to get back into Gaelic football management having decided not to contest the next general election.
The former Louth manager and TD has been involved in politics since he was first elected as a Fine Gael representative in 2011.
He left the party in 2018 over a disagreement surrounding abortion legislation, retaining his seat as an Independent in 2020.
Fitzpatrick balanced work as a TD with his role as chairman of the Louth GAA between 2019 and 2023 before stepping down.
The Dundalk native is anticipating more free-time after exiting politics, prompting a tenuous link with the vacant Meath job on LMFM radio.
Fitzpatrick was the Louth manager when they were infamously beaten by Meath in the 2010 Leinster senior football final.
Meath won the game thanks to a late goal from Joe Sheridan that should have been ruled out, sparking huge controversy in Croke Park.
But the Dundalk native says he has a fantastic relationship with Meath and went along with the link, jokingly asking Meath chairman Jason Plunkett to give him a call.
"What happened in the 2010 Leinster final happened," said Fitzpatrick.
"I'm going to be straight up with you.
All of my best friends are all involved in Meath football, we've got a fantastic relationship, I was chairman of the Louth county board for four years
"I do hope now that, seeing as I have a bit of free-time, I would love to get back into managing again.
"I think the closing date was 9.00 yesterday morning, I'm too late for that, but I would love to get back involved in the sport."
"So Jason there, the chairperson of Meath, if you want to give me a wee ring there, I'm available.
SPORT: What about it @MeathGAA supporters?😜 pic.twitter.com/6zn5VuNBjg
— LMFM RADIO (@LMFMRADIO) September 5, 2024
Colm O'Rourke stepped away from the Meath job recently, having been disappointed with a deadline the county board presented him with over his backroom team.
Kilmacud Crokes boss Robbie Brennan is the firm favourite to land the job with Lar Wall also in the mix.
