Kinsale set to be a key battleground

(JJ Hurley)

  Kinsale and its greater hinterland looks set to be key in determining the election result for Cork South West.

Mirroring the swing states in the recent presidential election in America, the ballot boxes in Kinsale, Dunderrow, Innishannon, Belgooly, Riverstick and Ballyheada could prove crucial for successful candidates.

In pole position to take these votes should be either Senator Tim Lombard or Cllr Alan Coleman, with their roots firmly established in the area.

Both men have proven in previous local and national elections that having home advantage has stood them well, even if they haven’t crossed the line in national contests.

With the West of the constituency already crowded with candidates residing there, Coleman and Lombard will certainly hope to take full advantage of their home patch.

However, they will not have it all their own way as the local elections showed in June, with both John Collins, Independent Ireland and Ann Bambury, Social Democrats, both taking a sizeable vote in the area.

Certainly, both Michael Collins and Holly Cairns will be confident that they can attract this vote in the upcoming election on November 29th.

Both current Dail Deputies are regular visitors to the town, as is Christopher O’Sullivan TD, who has family connections in the Kinsale.

However, with both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail losing seats in the recent local election in the Bandon/Kinsale Municipal Area, and seeing a  drop in its vote, it could be worrying times for both parties.

Certainly, with Fine Gael candidate, Noel O’ Donovan canvassing the area in recent weeks, a lack of vote management could yet prove costly to the party’s hopes of retaking a seat in Cork South West.

Sinn Fein will hope that its candidate Clare O Callaghan can benefit from her recent run in the local elections, as will the Labour Party candidate Evie Nevin.

Also in the mix is Deborah O’ Driscoll from the Irish People.

The one thing is certain that over the years the area has always played a part in electing a TD, including Christy O’ Sullivan (SNR), Michael McCarthy (Labour Party), Michael Collins, (Ind Ire) and most recently in 2020, Holly Cairns.

With anoraks predicting Michael Collins will be elected with a massive vote, the remaining pack will be hoping that Kinsale and its surrounding areas will do them the honours.

The question is, who?