THERE WAS shock news this week when a rank outsider confounded the pundits and scooped the Mayo Person of the Year award.

You’d have to wonder what moved the judges – having ignored the winner (and his Trojan backbench work on behalf of the people of Mayo) for nearly 40 years, to finally pick new Taoiseach Enda Kenny for the big prize.

It’s a puzzler . . .

But heartiest congratulations and well done, Enda.

The Mayo Association of Dublin will present the Taoiseach with his gong at their annual dinner dance on February 4th.

And yet another surprise . . .

Earlier this week, Minister for Arts Jimmy Deenihan was named the 2012 Kerry Person of Year by the Kerry Association in Dublin.

He now joins former Kerry football team-mates Páidí Ó Sé, Mick O’Connell, Pat Spillane and Mick O’Dwyer on the roll of honour.

Maura Hughes, cathaoirleach of the Kerry Association in Dublin, said: “Jimmy has given freely of his time to a wide range of causes in the literary, footballing and industrial fields.” And it’s always nice to have a Cabinet seat in the county.

We expect more belated recognition from around the country for our freshly minted Ministers in the coming months.

Galway had better rustle up something quick for the Tánaiste.