Simon Coveney is back to home turf to rally supporters

Housing Minister Simon Coveney will stage a major rally in Cork tonight with his supporters insisting it’s still all to play for in the Fine Gael leadership race.

Mr Coveney will be on home turf in a bid to shore up local support and gain ground on Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar.

Mr Coveney’s city-centre rally comes after Mr Varadkar’s leadership bid was further boosted yesterday with endorsements from ministers Paschal Donohoe and Charlie Flanagan.