Paul Hosford: Poll puts Connolly on top as presidential race heads into final week

The last seven days of this race will be crucial for both sides 

Before Mr Gavin's sensational departure from the race, there had been a school of thought that Ms Connolly would take the most first preferences, but that when Mr Gavin or Ms Humphreys would be eliminated, their transfers would lift the other above the Galway woman. Picture: Conor O'Mearain/PA

In football, the saying is "goals change games".

In politics, it's not quite "polls change games", but it's not a million miles off. For the teams of both Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys, Thursday's poll in The Irish Times will have caused conversations on how the last week will play out.