Hurling manager aims to score for Fianna Fail

It is rare that a politician, fighting his first election, knocks on a door canvassing for votes and is asked for his autograph.

But that is exactly what happens to Tony Dempsey as he appeals to the people of Wexford for their support at the May 17 poll.

For the first time the county hurling team manager is standing for the Dail, hoping to poach a seat for Fianna Fail.

And in this key swing marginal Dempsey thinks the departure of veteran Fine Gael TD, Ivan Yates could leave a gap for him to fill, giving Fianna Fail a third seat.

Yates, a betting shop owner, is bowing out of politics apparently resigned to the fact that Bertie Ahern’s party is set for victory. All bets on Bertie are off at his shops, it is such a foregone conclusion.

Dempsey admits he is fighting for the last of five seats in Wexford. Despite his high-profile in the county he knows a newcomer to politics has a tough task.

Topping the opinion polls is Fianna Fail’s John Browne. His party colleague and junior marine minister Hugh Byrne also looks secure.

Labour’s deputy leader - and former health and environment minister - Brendan Howlin is safe.

In the latest local poll, in the Wexford Echo, Dempsey was neck and neck for first preference votes with Byrne and Howlin.

But careful vote management by Fianna Fail has restricted Dempsey to canvassing in Wexford Town only.

He hopes transfers will come in his direction from across the other parties, as his previous job as a head teacher and his several businesses in the county add to his high profile.

And with Avril Doyle parachuted in to replace Yates for Fine Gael, Dempsey thinks his party can snatch a third seat in Wexford at the expense of their rivals.

Doyle, an MEP, lost her seat at the last election in 1997. Her party believes that if it drops 4,000 first preference votes it could lose the seat.

After a long day canvassing Dempsey says: ‘‘I think the three seats are on for Fianna Fail.

‘‘The departure of Ivan Yates could well cost Fine Gael a seat,’’ he says, but adds: ‘‘I will be fighting for the last seat.

‘‘Ivan Yates was a very good politician and a very capable performer. So he is obviously a loss to the county and he is a man that I would have a lotof respect for.

‘‘Avril Doyle has been away from the local scene. She has been in Europe.’’

He goes on: ‘‘I will not be elected because I am hurling manager but what it does is that it will open doors.

‘‘It is quite common for youngsters to come up for autographs and talk about hurling.’’

Dempsey is appealing to youngsters in Wexford, attempting to tap into the large number of wasted votes from those disaffected with politics.

‘‘Unfortunately too many of the young people have been switched off by politicians. But I will appeal to them because they are the leaders of tomorrow and have a vital role to play,’’ he says.

Dempsey also accuses Fine Gael of squeezing out Eddie O’Reilly who stepped down from the party ticket in March to make way for Avril Doyle.

‘‘It worries me a little bit because when you put your name on the ballot sheet like Eddie was doing and you are selected in the normal way I didn’t think you could be shoved out that way,’’ Dempsey says.

‘‘It is the ugly side of politics and I do not like that side. I think itdiscredits the system.’’

Behind the front runners is Michael D’Arcy, the main established Fine Gael man in the county, who has won and lost his seat several times in a see-saw Dail career stretching back to 1977.

He had nine per cent of first preference votes in last month’s Irish Independent poll and the party’s third candidate Paul Kehoe was on four per cent.

Meanwhile Sinn Fein’s John Dwyer is strong in the local media and picked up six per cent in last month’s opinion poll.

Although he could do well from the lack of a Democratic Left candidate in the constituency he is unlikely to come out with a seat.

Independent Sean Doyle is polling just four per cent of the first preference votes.

And local doctor Liam Twomey is standing for the first time on a health ticket.

The Rosslare-based GP wants to highlight deficiencies in the local health service.

In a recent interview he said he was ‘‘realistic’’ about winning a seat butwas going all out for victory.

‘‘If you feel strongly enough about the issues, then you have to take thebull by the horns and go for it,’’ he said.

:: 1997 First Preference votes:

Ivan Yates, 10,024

Brendan Howlin, 9,510

Michael D’Arcy, 6,562

John Browne 8,646

Hugh Byrne 7,003