Former GAA president Sean Kelly is to seek a nomination to run for Fine Gael for the European Parliament in the Ireland South constituency.
He said it was not "my call" to decide how many candidates Fine Gael should run in the constituency – which includes all Munster counties, bar Clare.
Mr Kelly led the GAA when it agreed to host the historic Ireland/England rugby match at Croke Park in 2007, one of Ireland's legendary sporting occasions.
His decision to seek a nomination will cause difficulties for Fine Gael's sitting MEP in South, Colm Burke, who took over the seat after Simon Coveney returned to full-time Irish politics.
"The last time Fine Gael won two seats in Leinster and people did not think that that was possible. Obviously, it is a challenge. That is what politics is all about," Mr Kelly said.
In a clear sign that Mr Kelly is favoured by Fine Gael, party leader Enda Kenny said Mr Kelly's decision to seek a nomination "is another boost".
"Sean Kelly is a man with tremendous ability and experience. His time as president of the GAA was a period of change and modernisation for that organisation. Deciding to step in to the political arena is a big step for any individual but I am delighted that a person with his profile has decided to offer to run for Fine Gael," said Mr Kenny.
Mr Kelly, who denied that he has any interest in seeking a Dáil seat at any future point, was accompanied today by Kerry North TD Jimmy Deenihan and Kerry South colleague Tom Sheahan. The latter was the one who approached Mr Kelly to run "in the first instance", said Fine Gael.
"Following his declaration of intent today I wish Sean well as he steps on to the national political stage and seeks to become part of Fine Gael's team in Europe," said Mr Kenny
Speaking today, Mr Kelly said a re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum with contentious issues such as taxation, conscription and abortion clarified would be the "sensible thing".
He said he has read a summary of the treaty compiled by Fine Gael MEP Gay Mitchell. "I took it and I read it on holidays, would you believe it, and I actually had a quick look at it this morning on the train coming up," he explained.
On the possibility of a second referendum, he added: "That is outside my control but I think it is fairly obvious that, in due course, a second referendum with assurances to people on the misgivings they have had, clearly clarified, may be the sensible thing to do."
Additional reporting PA