Transfers will be crucial as 18 battle it out in Sligo-Leitrim

This constituency could be best described as hodgepodge, taking in four counties and two provinces.

In 2011 Sligo North Leitrim and Roscommon South Leitrim were both three seaters. This time around Leitrim has been reunited, but parts of west Cavan and south Donegal have also been glued onto the four-seater constituency.

With 18 candidates already in the running it will be a long night — or most likely days and nights — of counting. It is quite possible that it could be halfway through the count before a single person is elected. Eliminations and transfers will play a vital part in who wins a seat.

In south Leitrim the loss of jobs on the MBNA campus in Carrick on Shannon has impacted many families.

In north Leitrim the possible threat of fracking and the environmental impacts of this controversial gas exploration method has divided locals.

Sligo General Hospital and the loss of health services continues to be a sensitive issue in the constituency. There is also a demand to see the Sligo to Dublin N4 road upgraded.

In the west Cavan areas of Blacklion, Ballyconnell, Killashandra, and right down to Lough Gowna people are angry that they have been taken out of their own county constituency and placed within the Sligo-Leitrim boundary.

This anger is echoed among those living in the chunk of south Donegal, which takes in Ballyshannon and Bundoran that has also been pushed into Sligo-Leitrim.

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin are all guaranteed a seat each, but deciding who will be elected is tricky.

Sitting Sinn Féin TD Michael Colreavey has decided not to stand, but his seat is likely to be taken by party colleague Martin Kenny.

Senator Marc MacSharry has a high profile in the Sligo area but he is faced by the opposition of two running partners in Eamon Scanlon and more recently selected Paddy O’Rourke.

Fine Gael’s Tony McLoughlin appears to be the strongest Fine Gael contender.

Independent’s Declan Bree, Marie Casserly and Des Guckian will be strong contenders.

Finbarr Filan, brother of former Westlife singer Shane Filan is to run for Renua Ireland.

While Senator Susan O’Keeffe who did well but failed to win a seat in 2011, has been selected as Labour’s candidate.

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