His air time will be cut in the interests of political fairness . . .

even though he would be expected to do a number of radio and television interviews during the FBD League competition and the Allianz football league as Mayo's new manager.

RTE has confirmed to the Sunday Tribune that, despite accepting the Mayo management role, O'Mahony will be treated in the same way as all other candidates.

Peter Feeney, secretary of RTE's General Election Steering Committee, said, "We have a huge issue over a candidate for a general election appearing on radio or television as we have to be fair to all candidates.

"The issue has arisen before.

Last time there were elections, David Norris had appeared in a programme on great Irish houses and that programme was postponed until after the elections. If there is any possibility of a candidate getting onto television or radio in any other guise, we will not allow it."

It is most unlikely that the Bank of Ireland GAA Championships will have started before the general election.

However inter-county managers often make appearances on television and radio during the football league, which will be played in the months before the election.

Feeney added, "From January onwards, we will be monitoring candidates to ensure that we give balanced coverage to all candidates and parties.

John O'Mahony will not be appearing on RTE radio or television from January onwards in any other guise other than as a general election candidate." O'Mahony this weekend told the Sunday Tribune, "I will abide with whatever rules and regulations that are there. "When I am out on the sideline, I won't be mixing my roles. What interpretation other people put on that is for them to decide."

Meanwhile, Mayo's sitting Fine Gael TD, Michael Ring said, "We are delighted to have John O'Mahony and if we can win three seats in Mayo, we won't care how we get them.

The one thing I would say is that I will be lucky to be elected with Enda Kenny as leader and John O'Mahony as Mayo manager running alongside me. It is a very dangerous election for me with two high-profile candidates running as well."