Fifth seat the weather vane of volatile constituency

HOW times change. Micheál Martin has topped the poll in Cork South Central in three successive general elections — 1997, 2002 and 2007.

The run is set to end in the forthcoming election, and spectacularly so, if the results of the Irish Examiner- Red C poll are realised on election day.

For starters, Mr Martin will be relegated to second place, with sitting Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney topping the poll. Secondly, Mr Martin’s hopes of bringing in his running mate, sitting Fianna Fáil TD Michael McGrath, will be dashed.