Catherine Connolly was supported by her proud husband Brian McEnery at Dublin Castle on Saturday night following official confirmation that she would be the tenth President of Ireland. The Independent candidate beat Fine Gael’s selection Heather Humphreys on a landslide victory of 63.

Outside politics, Connolly is a passionate Irish speaker and a keen sportswoman who ran marathons and played badminton competitively in her younger years. The 68 year old recently showed off her skills on the campaign trail by playing football and basketball with children at a block of flats in northside Dublin.

Catherine Connolly, one of the fiercest left-wing independent candidates, might be crowned the next president of Ireland. With voting now closed and counting underway, Connolly appears to hold a commanding lead over her opponents.