Paul Hosford: For Simon the Statesman, the test starts now

The new Fine Gael leader will have to prove he can make the jump from TikTok favourite to world leader

Simon Harris at the Midlands North-West European Election Selection Convention, at the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone. Picture: Stephen Collins

"There's a bit of a buzz around Fine Gael, isn't there?"

Simon Coveney was preaching to the converted in a packed hall in Athlone's Sheraton Hotel, but there was a high energy for what was originally supposed to be the processional nomination of the party's candidates for the Midlands North-West constituency.