HELTER SKELTER FOR FINAL SEATS IN SOUTH LIMERICK

As election fever takes hold in the Kilmallock area and the campaign enters its final crucial days, opinion as to the eventual outcome seems to sway this way and that with each passing day. Kilmallock publican and former All Star hurler, Mike Houlihan (FG), is now being seen as a possible poll topper along with Galbally farmer, Eddie Ryan, a part-time constituency secretary to Fianna Fail deputy Niall Collins.

Some local political pundits are unconvinced about Ryan’s ‘favourite’ tag given the crowded field in south Limerick. However, the feeling is that a substantial first preference vote would put him in pole position to take one of the early seats. After that, any attempts to predict the candidates that will fill the remaining three seats, depend very much on who you might talk to.

John Clifford, although under pressure due to the redrawing of the constituency boundaries, is still thought likely to get a seat for a beleaguered Fianna Fail. His cause could, however, be damaged by fellow FF candidate, Mike Donegan of Kilmallock, who has strong family connections throughout the area.

Interestingly, proving that blood is thicker than water, Pa Creed, the Kilfinane Fine Gael activist and assistant secretary of the Limerick County GAA Board, was on the canvass trail for his brother-in-law, John Clifford, this week. Family ties obviously win out over political allegiance in south Limerick.

It’s from there on in that even the most seasoned political observers are finding it virtually impossible to make a call on the last two seats on offer. Bill O’Donnell of Herbertstown, a nephew of the former Irish government minister and MEP, Tom O’Donnell, is seen as a very strong runner and seems set to capture a second seat for Fine Gael.

James Heffernan (Labour) initially tipped as a front runner could, it seems, come under pressure for transfers as the count evolves. The original school of thought that he would sail through on the back of a strong showing in the 2007 general election is now being questioned in some quarters.

As one observer put it, “The locals are a completely different kettle of fish to a general election. Heffernan had a free run in south Limerick last time out. It’s a very crowded ballot paper on June 5.”

Still, it’s thought probable that the Kilfinane schoolteacher will secure a seat in the heel of the hunt. James Hickey, the well known Ballylanders referee, will be hoping to garner much of the support enjoyed by the retiring Limerick County Council chairman, John Gallahue, while there’s a battle royal in the Hospital area with Mary Burke (FF), a sister of Defence Minister, Willie O’Dea, and local auctioneer, Ger Mitchell of Fine Gael engaged in a battle for votes.

It promises to be a real fight to the finish in south Limerick and even the most canny political analysts could end up with ‘mud in the eye’ when the ballot papers tumble out of the boxes on Saturday morning, June 6. Prediction – 2 FG (Houlihan and O’Donnell), 2 FF (Ryan and Clifford), 1 Lab (Heffernan).

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