All Ireland-winning footballer Ger Brennan is in the running to become Fianna Fáil's candidate in the Dublin Central constituency.

Mr Brennan is understood to have joined the party in recent weeks in an attempt to run for a Dáil seat in the next general election.

The Dublin player is said to have the backing of supporters of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his former election agent, Chris Wall.

Mr Brennan was one of the leading campaigners seeking a No vote in the recent same-sex marriage referendum.

A party source said Fianna Fáil was reluctant to support the Dáil bid of Mr Brennan, instead favouring Lorraine Clifford, a member of the party's Ard Comhairle.

Ms Clifford ran in last year’s local elections for the party in the Pembroke-South Dock constituency in Dublin but did not get elected.

One party source said: “We have been down this road before with footballers. This happened with Darragh Ó Sé in Kerry and nothing ever came of it.

“So we know he has joined but whether he actually wants to do it is another argument. People always say they want to run but won’t when it comes down to it.

“If he does go before selection convention though, it would be hard to look past him.”

The Irish Times was unable to contact Mr Brennan yesterday.

The news would come as a blow to Fianna Fáil councillor Mary Fitzpatrick, who is also intending to go before the selection convention in Dublin Central.

Boundary revisions

Ms Fitzpatrick ran for the European elections in May 2014 but failed to secure a seat in the European parliament.

Despite his departure from politics, Mr Ahern is still a significant figure in Dublin Central and the support of his followers would be crucial in the constituency.

Councillor David Costello is also considering going before the selection convention.

Mr Costello last night said he had not made up his mind yet but was speaking to party members about the matter.

“There has been a lot of talk about who is running but I haven’t made up my mind yet. I will within the next two weeks,” he said.

The Dublin Central constituency has changed following boundary revisions and is now a three- rather than a four- seater. Fianna Fáil has had no TD in the constituency since 2011.

Meanwhile, the sister of Fianna Fáil Senator Thomas Byrne could run for the party in Louth. Mary Byrne, who is a lawyer, is being targeted to run in the constituency.