Everything still to play for as killer blow proves elusive

BOTH sides in the Fine Gael street fight promised they would deliver the decisive blow throughout yesterday.

It never came.

Enda Kenny surprised many with the ferocity of his fight back. And Richard Bruton ditched the frivolity of his media appearances this week to try to choke off his rivals’ revival.

The party’s structure strained under the scrutiny of every (mis)step. And observers watched for every sign of support or suspicion. It happened at a frantic pace.

Former leader Michael Noonan acting coy in the morning was an appetiser. In the mid-morning radio shows there was a quick exchange of fire but Mr Bruton emerged ahead.

On RTÉ Michael D’Arcy announced he was with the rebels. Wicklow TD Andrew Doyle told East Coast FM he was too. Frank Feighan was on Shannonside radio supporting the incumbent.

In Tipperary, Noel Coonan and Tom Hayes promised to consult with their party. However, Mr Coonan said he accepted Mr Kenny had never gelled with the public. It was telling.

Each side was desperate to retain momentum. Mr Kenny, having trooped out his key supporters to gain early ground on Monday, could not match his former finance spokesman’s dash from behind.

The Bruton camp had hired the services of Unique media to manage its message. And it timed its drip-feed of backers to devastating effect. The belated pronouncement of Senator Maurice Cummins for Mr Kenny was low-key compared to other rumours.

By lunchtime Limerick TD Kieran O’Donnell, the man Mr Kenny selected to replace the former finance spokesman, had left his leader in the lurch and defected.

It was an embarrassing own goal for Mr Kenny. He could have gone the week without a spokesman instead of selecting Bruton’s erstwhile deputy only to be left with another departure two days later. And, as fresh meat, the Limerick East man was given media maximum exposure.

Meanwhile, Mr Bruton arrived at RTÉ radio flanked by key supporters. Presenter Sean O’Rourke grilled him on his failure to successfully create difficulties for Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. Mr Bruton worked hard to make it a debate between the prospects of himself or Mr Kenny.

But He was still sitting on his best card. Charlie Flanagan, the party’s justice spokesman, switched sides. After supporting Mr Kenny on Sunday, and refusing to comment since, he let it be known to the media that he was now with the rebels.

And both sides went into a lull.

Then, as the clock wound down to the evening news programmes, the Bruton camp arrived out from Leinster House with a polished prepared statement. He was confident of victory.

Privately, his team said he would either win by seven or lose by two. Alongside him were two new additions, Clare’s Pat Breen and Donegal’s Joe McHugh. Mr Breen said it was time for a new direction. In terms of maths, Mr Breen and Mr McHugh cancelled out their respective county compatriots, Joe Carey and Dinny McGinley, who gathered with other loyalists.

And this group was not willing to surrender the lead they held on paper.

In the most powerful image of the day, 21 supporters of the current leader emerged together from the parliamentary offices. It included the previously silent TDs Catherine Byrne, of Dublin south central, and Bernard Durkan, from Kildare. Both sides scrambled for fresh tally sheets. There were still some undeclared and strong rumours of defections. Seymour Crawford would not reiterate the support for Kenny. James Bannon was similarly reluctant.

After ravaging the bulk of the party since the weekend both sides were left scavenging among its lesser lights for support. And this afternoon these fence-sitting, lower ranked politicians will decide who will be in line to become the next taoiseach.