Horan, who recently stepped down as Leinster Council chairman after his three-year term elapsed, polled 144 of the 278 votes cast and will serve as GAA President from 2018 to 2020.

He will become the first Dublin native to hold the role since Daniel McCarthy did so from 1921 to 1924.

In his acceptance speech, Horan paid tribute to the other four candidates he had campaigned against - Galway’s Frank Burke, Kerry’s Sean Walsh, Clare’s Robert Frost, and Longford’s Martin Skelly.

"First of all, I would like to extend my commiserations to Martin, Robert, Sean, and Frank," he said.

"It was a long and hard campaign.

"I think anyone who spoke to any of us in the last few days here in Croke Park or over in the (Croke Park) Hotel realised the drain it was for each and every one of us.

"I would say most sincerely that each and every candidate fought this in a very fair and honourable manner and that's a credit to them.

"To the four lads, it takes courage to put your head above the parapet and take on the challenge of trying to be elected.

"For that, you deserve great credit.

"You all have great track-records in this organisation and I have no doubt that you will all continue to work for and on behalf of the Association."

Walsh came second in the vote with 46, followed by Burke with 36, Skelly with 22 and Frost with 20.

The GAA is Ireland’s largest sporting organisation and claims to be celebrated as one of the great amateur sporting associations in the world.