Only total meltdown will jeopardise FF seats

THERE would have to be a monumental meltdown for Fianna Fáil if the party was to lose either of its two sitting councillors in the Fermoy area.

Last time out, Kevin O’Keeffe topped the poll with a very impressive 3,671 first preferences and was elected on the first count. The son of Euro hopeful Ned O’Keeffe, his position is seen as impregnable.

He was followed in by running mate Frank O’Flynn who was elected on count two after gaining 2,553 first preferences.

Aileen Pyne, a former teacher from Fermoy, took the third seat for Fine Gael, while FG’s Liam O’Doherty took the fourth.

O’Doherty, a dairy farmer from Mitchelstown, has decided not to run this time. And FG has decided to run three candidates which could backfire on them, although they would argue that this strategy was prudent in the face of an expected backlash against the dominant Government party.

FG are running Pat O’Driscoll, a teacher who lives in Rathcormac. He is understood to be putting in a particularly energetic campaign and could be in with a shout.

However, his presence so close to Fermoy could cost Aileen Pyne some votes.

O’Driscoll is also a former president of Young Fine Gael and if he doesn’t make it on June 5 many believe it is only a question of time before his political career takes off.

Kay Dawson, a community worker based in Mitchelstown, is the third FG candidate. She will poll well and could be in for a seat in the final shake-up, although there are others who will be running neck and neck with her right to the end.

Noel McCarthy, a co-owner of an off-licence in Fermoy, is running for the Labour Party. He is being heavily supported by his local TD Sean Sherlock and is likely to capitalise on anti-government votes.

So, too, is Sinn Féin’s Seamus Coleman – a town councillor in Fermoy, although he lives in Glanworth and is close enough to Kevin O’Keeffe and Frank O’Flynn to cause them some damage.

But former SF candidate Timmy White will take some of Coleman’s votes. From Mitchelstown, White is running as an independent and is also likely to take a votes from O’Keeffe but won’t make the final mix.

Peter Merrigan is a former PD who is now running as an independent. The businessman is also a sitting Fermoy town councillor. He lives in Kilworth and will pick up a good few votes, but unlikely to get the numbers needed for a seat in County Hall.

It looks like the FF duo will retain their seats while Aileen Pyne is likely to be the first past the post for FG.

The last seat is too close to call. It could be either of the other two FG candidates, Labour’s Noel McCarthy or even Sinn Féin’s Seamus Coleman.