FF’s Connolly rues missed chance for second seat

Better vote management could have delivered a second seat for Fianna Fáil, according to one of its three candidates in Galway West.

Former City Councillor, John Connolly, said the Fianna Fáil organisation has questions to answer for not delivering a second seat in the constituency.

Connolly, who has strong GAA connections, surprised many with a very respectable showing, which included 3,885 first preference votes.

But it was not enough to regain a second seat for the party in this former Fianna Fail stronghold.

Early tallies indicated the party might be in with a squeak of taking two but in the end only poll-topper, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, made it.

Speaking before being eliminated, city-based Mr Connolly said: “I think regretfully, Fine Gael are going to win two seats, with a lower percentage of the first preference vote than us, and questions should be asked about that.”

As it turned out, Fianna Fáil took 24.3% of the vote and one seat; Fine Gael took two seats with 24% of first preferences.

Mr Connolly, a primary school teacher in Rosscahill, said: “I would have to say that the party must be looking with a tinge of regret at the vote management strategy. Because we did discuss it (winning two seats) on occasions but the organisation locally, we were led in the direction, that to get two seats, irrespective of how it would break down between the candidates, that unless we get 27% or 28% of the vote we won’t be in the running for two seats.”

Asked what went wrong, Mr Connolly suggested tighter vote management in the city – where Ó Cuív polled very strongly – might have delivered a second seat.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.