Four in the hunt for Fine Gael nominations

AT least four candidates are expected to put their names before a long-awaited Kerry South Fine Gael convention in Killarney, next month.

Former GAA president Seán Kelly, who speculation suggested could run for Fine Gael in the constituency, has all but ruled out being among them.

The convention is fixed for June 23, in the Killarney Heights Hotel, and three councillors, Séamus Cosaí MacGearailt, Dingle, Tom Sheahan, Rathmore, and Johnny O’Connor, Killorglin, have already declared their intention to seek nominations.

Brendan Griffin, of Keel, an unsuccessful candidate for the party in the last local elections, may also throw his hat into the ring.

Kenmare-born solicitor Patrick O’Connor-Scarteen, whose family have been involved in Kerry politics for three generations, is keeping his options open.

Since Fine Gael lost its seat in Kerry South in 1989, the party has been struggling to win back ground and could have a big chance of regaining the seat.

Party headquarters had hoped to have Killarney-based Sean Kelly on the ticket, but local councillors indicated they are not prepared to “get off the pitch” to make way for Mr Kelly. The “dream ticket” for Dublin-based party strategists was to have Mr Kelly on one side of the constituency and Mr MacGearailt, who lives in the west Kerry Gaeltacht, on the other side.

However, a big decision now will be whether to run two, or three candidates in an all-out bid to win back the seat.

Mr MacGearailt is the frontrunner and is tipped to be accompanied on a two-candidate ticket by Mr Sheahan or Mr O’Connor.