Taoiseach Micheál Martin's son announces engagement

Congratulations are in order for Micheál Aodh Martin Jr., who has popped the question to his partner Maryclaire Lynch while on his summer holidays.

As a goalkeeper for Cork's Senior Football team, the eldest son of the Taoiseach, who is a Senior Manager at PwC away from the pitch, is no doubt used to being in the spotlight, but found himself receiving a different kind of attention when photos of him emerged alongside his father in 2018.

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The player went viral for his good looks and was subsequently dubbed Micheál's 'hot son.' No doubt, then, there will be a few disappointed ladies out there with the news that he has popped the question.

Micheál Aodh Martin and his father Micheál Martin. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

The couple has yet to make a public announcement, but confirmed the engagement with a series of photos on his private social media. In the images, Maryclaire holds her left hand in the air, which is sporting a large oval diamond solitaire ring, while standing next to a stunning lake in Kotor Bay in Montenegro.

Other photos show them enjoying a romantic meal and taking in the views of the stunning coastline. When asked about the happy news, Micheál confirmed the engagement to EVOKE, but said they would not comment further.

He did, however, sweetly write on one of the pictures, 'Successful summer holiday.'

Cork goalkeeper Micheal Martin. Pic: by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The couple met at University College Cork, where they both studied commerce. Micheál is now a trained accountant and touted to follow his father into politics.

Maryclaire who is also from Cork, is a brand manager who works for Musgrave.

Micheál Martin is delighted with the news and in a statement said 'He wishes them a lifetime of happiness and the very best for the future.'

Micheál Sr. previously spoke about the attention his son receives, telling Doireann Garrihy's Laughs Of Your Life podcast: 'He got an awful slagging from his teammates at the time.

Comments were pouring in at the time, admiring his good looks with one writing: 'I’m not a fan of Micheál Martin BUT did anyone else see his son on the news there?? MASSIVE fan of him, jaaaaysus ?'

Delighted to get my #GOALMile done this morning! pic.twitter.com/j9wTFayycz — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 27, 2020

Another posted: 'I’m late to the ‘Micheál Martin’s Son Is A Ride’ party. But I’m here now,' but the Taoiseach insisted that there was no chance of his son getting a big head.

'If you have notions, they'll [Cork people] take you down to size,' he said, adding that those from the rebel county were' born with a sense of humour.

Micheál Aodh has also spoken about his famous father from time to time, including in May when he told how they try not to comment on each other's jobs.

'We have a mutual thing there. I won't scrutinise his performance if he doesn't scrutinise mine,' Micheál told the Irish Examiner. 'We've probably both learned over the years that it doesn't work otherwise.'

Cork goalkeeper Micheal Aodh Martin with his father An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD after the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cavan and Cork. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

When he's not playing for Cork or Nemo Rangers, Micheál works at PwC and, as of May, didn't have any imminent plans to move into politics like his dad.

Although admitting he has an 'interest' in his dad and local issues, Micheál added: 'I think I've enough on my plate now. Inter-county football definitely takes up most of my time, and I'm happy in the day job.'

Michaél is also an ambassador for Precision Training, which, according to its website, has 'evolved into the number one brand for multi-sport equipment and goalkeeping.'

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