Mick Clifford: Micheál Martin began this comeback in 2011 when he stayed to rebuild Fianna Fáil
Micheál Martin opening the 2012 Fianna Fáil ard fheis. He took over as party leader after the 2011 election when FF's presence in the Dáil was slashed to 20 seats, with just 17.5% of first preferences. File picture: Mark Stedman
Micheál Martin had a choice in 2011. He could have looked around at those with whom he had soldiered over the previous 15 years or so, people like Noel Dempsey and Dermot Ahern.
They and others had been to the mountain of high office. They had enjoyed the fruits of governing at a time of plenty. Then when it all came tumbling down they shrugged their shoulders and considered that the next phase would be murderously difficult and there was still time to spend the remainder of their lives doing something else.
