Wexford delegate tops first-count ballot as Ger Ryan and John Murphy fall short.
Verified vote breakdown.
Total votes cast: 277
Quota: 139
Derek Kent (Wexford): 169. (elected on the first count)
Ger Ryan (Tipperary): 76.
John Murphy (Sligo): 32
Wexford’s Derek Kent has been elected Uachtarán Tofa (President-elect) of the Gaelic Athletic Association at GAA Congress 2026, held at Croke Park yesterday evening.
Mr Kent will become the 42nd President of the GAA at Congress 2027, when outgoing President, Mr Jarlath Burns, completes his three-year term.
A total of 277 votes were cast in the presidential election. Mr Kent secured 169 votes, reaching the 139 quota on the first count. Mr Ger Ryan (Tipperary) polled 76 votes, while Mr John Murphy (Sligo) received 32 votes.
Mr Kent, a Taghmon-Camross clubman, brings extensive administrative experience to the role, having served as Wexford GAA Chairperson (2017–2020) and recently completing a three-year term as Leinster GAA Chairperson. He has also chaired the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) and the Infrastructure, Health & Safety Committee.
In being elected President-elect, Mr Kent becomes the third Wexford native to hold the Association’s top office, following Mr Patrick Breen (1924–1926) and Mr Michael Kehoe (1949–1952).
Tipperary’s Ger Ryan had campaigned strongly to bring the presidency back to the Premier County, with Tipp GAA noting his recent service as Munster GAA Chair (2022–2025) and the county’s previous holder of the office, Mr Séamus Ó Riain (1967–1970).
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