It’s very easy to analyse the figures, and try to guess who will do what. But you need to take into account the situation on the ground. Donegal SW has some of the strongest performing TDs in the country. Pat The Cope Gallagher and Mary Coughlan are exceptionally popular in their local areas, and Dinny McGinley remains a strong opposition performer.

Add to this, Pearse Doherty, despite his huge European campaign which included having Martin McGuiness and Gerry Adams canvassing for him in his local electoral area, failed to top the poll in the council elections (same day as the Euro elections). He was well beaten into second place by Fianna Fail’s Briain O’Domhnaill, who is an exceptionally strong vote-getter and a definite future TD.

Donegal NE is going to be very interesting. As I have said, I believe that SF will get closer here than in the SW, but I wouldn’t bet on them taking the seat. Fianna Fail remain very strong (one short of a majority on the council), as does Niall Blaney of Independent Fianna Fail. The constituency is made up of three distinct areas, each of which historically returns a TD. Cecilia Keaveney in Inishowen (where Padraig McLochlann will stand), Niall Blaney in Milford and Dr James McDaid in Letterkenny. Dr McDaid remains very popular in Letterkenny, but it is not certain he will stand (all his public signs point that he will). Add to this FGs very popular Senator Joe McHugh and the election gets very interesting.

There will most likely be some sort of backlash against FF (particularly on the issue of Cancer Care services, which has seen substantial rebellion from those of us in the party here in the county) but I believe we will still perform strong, as will FG. It’s going to be very interesting up here!