FORMER WORLD CHAMPION middle distance runner Eamonn Coghlan will contest the Dublin West by-election for Fine Gael.

Coghlan has served as a senator since 2011, when he was nominated by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

He will contest the seat in his local constituency, which was vacated by Independent TD Patrick Nulty in March.

Coghlan had been set for a showdown with local councillor Kieran Dennison, but Dennison withdrew from the race shortly after both were nominated.

Coghlan was nominated by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar in front of an all-star Fine Gael crowd. Health Minister James Reilly and European Parliament candidate Brian Hayes were among those in attendance in Castleknock.

Nominating Coghlan, Leo Varadkar said he believes that Coghlan can take a second seat for Fine Gael in the constituency.

“Eamonn was once asked what was so special about indoor running. He replied that it was the ‘tightness of the track’.

“He loved that ‘the crowd is right on top of you’. Over the next few weeks Eamonn will experience this feeling more than in any race, the crowd will be right on top as never before.

“But he will love it, and they will love him. Because this is someone who is never beaten – he is a true sportsman, a giver, and a true patriot – and let’s hope that we can support him in his new quest – and help ensure that we bring his Olympian spirit to the Dáil.

“We need politicians like Eamonn Coghlan, and I am honoured to be able to nominate him tonight.”

Coghlan’s nomination rounds out the ballot papers for most of the major parties, with Labour chair Lorraine Mulligan, Fianna Fáil councillor David McGuinness, Sinn Féin local representative Paul Donnelly and Socialist Party councillor Ruth Coppinger all already confirmed, along with independent David Hall.

Read: Labour is running its party chair in the Dublin West by-election