Alan Dillon

Alan Dillon (born 28 September 1982) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since the 2020 general election.[1]

Alan Dillon

TD
Dillon in 2020
Teachta Dála
Assumed office
February 2020
ConstituencyMayo
Personal details
Born (1982-09-28) 28 September 1982
Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse(s)
Ashling Dillon
​
(m. 2014)​
Children1
EducationDavitt College
Alma mater
Websitealandillon.ie
Alan Dillon
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Position Left Half Forward
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Club(s)
Years Club
1999–
 Ballintubber
Club titles
Mayo titles 5
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
2003–2017
 Mayo 134 (3–225)
Inter-county titles
Connacht titles 8
All Stars 2
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 28 November 2017.

Prior to entering politics, he was a two-time All Star winning Gaelic footballer who captained the senior Mayo county team.[2][3]

Gaelic football career

He played football with his local club Ballintubber in County Mayo and was a pivotal member of the senior Mayo county team from 2003 until his retirement in 2017, playing in six All-Ireland finals. His fine-tuned skill, his sharp roving eye and his clever reading of the game all contribute to his exceptional footballing abilities. Dillon won his first All Star award in 2006[4] and a second All Star award in 2012.

On 28 November 2017, Dillon announced his retirement from inter-county football.[5][6][7]

Political career

Following his retirement from inter-county football in 2017, there was much speculation that Dillon would replace former Taoiseach Enda Kenny as a Fine Gael candidate for Mayo.[8][9] In January 2018, Dillon announced his intention to stand for local elections in 2019, but later decided not to run.

He has numerous links to Fine Gael, an aunt having been Enda Kenny's Castlebar secretary and her husband being Kenny's driver and a county councillor.[10] In 2020, he successfully stood as a Fine Gael candidate for the 2020 general election in the Mayo constituency.[11]

Personal life

He is married to Ashling, and they have one son. Dillon has participated in a marketing campaign for Ireland West Airport Knock.[12] Dillon attended Davitt College in Castlebar for his Secondary school education.[13] He studied at NUI Galway,[14] and played for the university football team.[15] Dillon has a M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Science from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from NUI Galway, and a B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics and Biology from Maynooth University.[16]

References
  1. "Alan Dillon". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  2. "Dillon to captain Mayo". Hoganstand.com. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  3. "Dillon to captain Mayo". Hoganstand.com. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  4. "Champions Kerry top All Star list". RTÉ. 22 November 2006. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  5. "Eight-time Connacht champion Alan Dillon calls time on his Mayo career". The 42. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  6. Murphy, Ciaran. "Ciarán Murphy: Alan Dillon leaves knowing he gave it his all". The Irish Times.
  7. "Alan Dillon calls it a day with Mayo". 28 November 2017 – via www.rte.ie. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. Finn, Christina. "Mayo GAA star lined up for general election bid to replace Enda Kenny". TheJournal.ie.
  9. "Fine Gael and Alan Dillon in talks about surprise General Election bid". www.mayonews.ie.
  10. "Alan Dillon: Bring our people home". www.irishexaminer.com. 24 February 2018.
  11. "Mayo: 2020 General Election". IrelandElection.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  12. "Donegal GAA stars join forces as Ambassadors for Ireland West Airport Knock". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  13. "Alan Dillon, the man who made it look easy". www.mayonews.ie.
  14. "NUI Galway students and alumni head for Croke Park with Mayo senior football finalists". 17 September 2013. Archived from the original on 17 December 2016.
  15. "Gardiner digs deep to bury IT Sligo". Irish Independent. 18 February 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  16. "Alan Dillon". finegael.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
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