Fine Gael election countdown has well and truly started in the West......

ethical

So the next general election countdown has well and truly started! Fine Gael in Mayo may have gotten rid of O'Mahony, TD,the man elected by the GAA last couple of times and now the deposed hero is lining up for near neighbours Galway who he did so brilliantly with in bringing Sam Maguire westwards a number of times.Expect the formula to work a treat.Latest rumours are that the said TD is writing a book,no doubt it will appeal to Galwegians and the Mayo man will romp home in the upcoming election.The GAA formula worked a treat in Mayo,even though he did not deliver Sam but just watch him go in Galway where he did deliver twice!

I hadn't realised part of south Mayo was moving into Galway west and that part of Galway east was moving into Roscommon.

I struggle to see him getting elected. There are plenty of candidates knocking around Galway city where the bulk of the votes are. His time as a backbench TD was in another constituency and as Galway manager was fifteen years ago.

ethical

Sunday's newspapers suggest a November election,this will hurt O'Mahony,his book will not be out until Christmas!

Fine Gael have made their selection for Galway West: Outgoing TDs Sean Kyne and Brian Walsh will be joined on the ticket by Mayo TD John O'Mahony and Senator Hildegarde Naughton.

TerrorFirmer

Any opinions on Senator Fidelma Healy Eames? Going forth as an Independent this time around. She missed the ticket in 2011, despite being on the crest of the Fine Gael Tsunami, does anyone expect her to achieve anything other than crippling failure? There's such an array of already sitting deputy's vying for the position, as well as numerous better placed contenders - Trevor O Clochartaigh, James Charity, etc. Eamon O' Cuiv already has one seat - which leaves little room for low odds outsiders. That's Galway West. Any opinions on Lorraine Higgins? Can she fill the Labour seat left vacant by Colm Keavney's departure in Galway East?

nuac

O'Mahony can hope for recognition in Galway West for his GAA record, even if it is 15 years since their All Ireland,

It is a strong GAA county, and many of the GAA voters in Galway will vote for him. He will also get a number of number ones from the Mayo people, but it will be harder to garner number ones in the original GW area.

He will get 2s, 3s etc, but may struggle to collect the amount of number ones needed

bagels

I can see John O'Mahony getting a very big vote from the Mayo part of the new constituency. Galway voters who wish to punish the local TD's from the government parties mightn't view John with as much contempt. His GAA reputation also makes him somewhat transfer friendly. He won't be in any danger from the Labour candidate, and the Independent Connolly has soiled her reputation by representing financial institutions in home repossession cases in court. James Charity has disappointed many by joining Lucinda in Fine Gael Lite so he likely won't be a threat to O'Mahony either. Healy Eames, if running, will also be drawing from the FG vote in an already crowded area that includes Oranmore, Currandulla and the City. The sitting FG TD's probably view each other as their greatest threat so may encourage their supporters to give O'Mahony second preference. O'Cuiv's seat is secure, as most likely is Grealish, so that leaves three to be filled. FG are guaranteed at least one. If they win a second, I reckon it'll be John's. The final seat should then go to Sinn Fein.