Battle stations: contenders to fight for hot seat

SIX votes: that was the margin by which sitting TD John Dennehy fended off the challenge of Independent Kathy Sinnott in the 2002 General Election.

His victory meant Fianna Fáil retained its three seats in the constituency, albeit by a whisker. Yesterday’s poll suggests the forthcoming election battle in Cork South Central will be just as competitive.

It indicates that Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin will again top the poll, and Mr Dennehy will also be re-elected. Both Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney and the Green’s Dan Boyle should also be returned to the Dáil.