I was born and live in Port. All I can say is, watch this space!

With Turley out of the race, I see some of his vote seep away to Stradbally based candidates, more so than across to Port.

Deegan should pick up a few extra here on this. Should be first past the post.

While Cribbin is getting caught in the Government backlash, his connections in both GAA and Rugby circles and his profile on local papers over the past five years should be enough to take second place.

The shiners have a, small but strong campaign team in Vicarstown so Mullins should do well here from Hurley’s retirement also. Mullins has a good team around him in Port and Emo and is now hitting doors for the second time on his canvass.

Murphy would be relatively unknown in the Stradbally area. However, his outgoing personality and his connections with many groups in Port will put him in good stead. FF hacks will do their best to give him a good showing. Surplus would benefit Cribbin, if needed. A good sweeper.

With Joe Dwyer in Port, McEvoy should gain a few with his GAA connections. Might also pick up a few protest votes from the prison officers and health service workers living in the area. But outside the GAA circle he will be running hard to catch up with the others. Should do well in Stradbally.

Emerson is picking up votes all over Port and Emo. Huge boast with her mother involved and her brother. A bit weak over on the Stradbally/Vicarstown side and could fall down short on first preferences because of this. But should gain enough transfers from Port based candidates to see her scrape home.

Margaret Gujit Lalor should put in a good showing, with her huge family connections and her involvement in many groups the town. Again Stradbally will be her bogie. Will fall short and won’t get to many transfers from other candidates.

Mitchell is leaving it late declaring. All others are up and running with the exception of the last FG candidate. Mitchell will feel the backlash from GAA people and the Soccer Club over his controversial stand on the sale of the football pitch three years ago. Will fail to reach the winning post. FG and Emerson should gain from his early departure

Mulhall is good for farmers and a few people in Emo. Full stop. FG could suffer and lose a few votes because of his personality. Also seen as a PD candidate, and just running to get a seat, any seat.

Still too early to call the final list but to date:
I see Deegan, Cribbin, Emerson and Another.

Swinging Door -And what about Cushen over in Stradbally??Heard he is runing surely he will pick up a good few votes over there sure he got 350 last time out with his neighbour Maher running beside him last time.If he got the 350votes amd half of what Maher got he'd b doing well...Dont think that Maher chap is running this year.so who exactly is running in the Emo electral area anyone no??

Cannot agree with your prediction re Vicarstown Turley vote. Bad blood between Turley and Deegan camp. John Turley, who is currently caretaking his late brothers Independent seat, bases his Legal practice in Port. He would not be favourably disposed towards the Deegan camp.

The FF team will be hampered rather than assisted by their support of disgraceful behaviour of certain GAA officials in the Avon extra pitch debacle in Port. The whole sorry episode cost the town dearly. An excellent commercial development with the prospect of many jobs, was scuppered. 8acres of amenity land was lost, because the GAA refused to share with the Soccer club and the Athletic club. They have now paid half a million Euros. for another field, for which they are currently fund raising. The only Councillor who spoke out against the appalling behaviour of the GAA was Paul Mitchell. They were also castigated by the Judge in the case. The Avon factory will probably remain unused ad infinitum. Very many locals are appalled.

Dont entirely agree here, Mr Cushen maybe he dose not realise it but he has lost his main box to Luggacurran Area and he polled poorly in the other 2 Stradbally Boxes.
He will be luck to retain his 2004 vote
The main disadvantage with Cushen is that he is not from the Town and with Rathenskia box gone it will not help him.
I reckon that Mulhall will be his jousting partner as they will both be after the IFA vote.
The two people who will gain from Cushen will be Mulhall and Deegan
Also the FF canidate is not from Stradbally either he is a Timahoe man but will get maybe 300 vote plus again I see Deegan will benifit here with Transfers.
It think Lottie is off here rocker if she shes trouble in the Deegan/Turley Camp this not the case.

I have to agree with the Real King. FG voters will keep it tight, no matter what shaningans is going on over there in Vicarstwon. My people over that way tell me Degan will do well.

Hard Luck Lottie your Hero Ms Halford has not been selected by FG HQ
Winifred Cox has been selcted on the ticket that's according to my Blueshirt Friends
She will join Tom Mulhall & James Deegan on the Line up.
I am sure every except Lottie will be trilled with this some much for Lotties propaganda on this Site.
Looks like Grace will now run as an Independant.

There will be sparks flying!

How could FG make so a monuemental error? Where to now for FG, will this be the end of Kenny! Could the front bench resign en-mass

Or could it just be that Lottie was G.Hs undoing?



Michael Moloney MCC (Indep) Laois CC

will we ever hear from Lottie again? Will she give Ms Cox the benefit of her wisdom? But most of all will she back the party candidate.?

Clearly Halford is the one to fear. The reactions on this site clearly indicate that. If the FG. selection convention had gone to a vote, Halford would have topped the poll and Deegan would have been in trouble. Appointing Cox as the runner in Port would be sheer lunacy, though a weak FG Port candidate might save Deegan. Weak Port candidates served him well in the past. Might leave an opening for you also Michael, but I'm sure you never considered that !!!!!!!!