Derek Kent elected Uachtarán Tofa of the GAA at Annual Congress

GAA Presidential candidate Derek Kent speaking after he was voted in as Uachtarán Tofa Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, to become GAA President in 2027 on day one of the GAA Annual Congress at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington

Derek Kent was elected Uachtarán Tofa of the GAA at Annual Congress this evening.

The Wexford native will become the 42nd President of the GAA at next year’s Annual Congress when Jarlath Burns steps down after the completion of his three-year term.

Kent received 169 of the 277 ballots cast which put him ahead of fellow candidates Ger Ryan (76) and John Murphy (32).

The Taghmon-Camross clubman served as Wexford GAA Chairperson from 2017 to 2020 and recently concluded a three-year term as Leinster GAA Chairperson.

He has also served terms as the Chairperson of the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee and Chairperson of the Infrastructure, Health & Safety Committee.

In his acceptance speech the Uachtarán Tofa paid tribute to his fellow candidates, Ger Ryan and John Murphy.

"It's a great honour to be here tonight and I want to thank you all sincerely,” said Kent.

“I will always do the right thing for the GAA and the first right thing I will do is to thank two great friends. And when I say friends, they have been really true, honest friends, both Ger and John.

“They are both gentlemen who have the GAA at heart and know the real meaning of the GAA.”

Kent will become the third GAA President from Wexford, following in the steps of Patrick Breen (1924 to 1926) and Michael Kehoe (1949 to 1952).