GAA COMMENTATOR MICHEÁL Ó Muircheartaigh has come out tops in a poll to find Ireland’s most popular ageing role model.

The Kerry man took almost half of the votes in the survey, carried out on behalf of Age Action Ireland by Red C.

Politican Mary O’Rourke came second, albeit trailing in the wake of his 47 per cent, with a share of 28 per cent of the vote. Actress Helen Mirren is just behind on 27 percent, while Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni came in fourth on 18 per cent.

Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s name was briefly bandied about last month as a possible contender for the presidential race, but the man himself ruled out a run for the Áras.

The poll marks the start of positive ageing week. Half of those questioned felt that growing older was a positive experience, while a third felt that there were more negative aspects to ageing.

Just over a quarter of those polled have given thought to how they will live when they are eighty years old, with less than half of those who are over 65 looking 50 years into the future.

Healthcare, social welfare and unemployment are among the areas in which older people are discriminated against, according to the survey. A third of respondents felt that there is some element of discrimination towards older people.