Political football for the season that’s in it

It's hardly the Premier Division but politics is often described as if it were a sport. And the political football season is about to begin.  There was a lot of activity during the transfer window (the Cabinet reshuffle) and there have been a few pre-season friendlies (Cabinet meeting) before the season proper resumes this month (the Dáil returns).

So here are a few pointers to the form and trends we should expect during the forthcoming season.

How the Mighty have Fallen. Fianna Fáil was always Manchester United and like the Red Devils, its form has dipped terribly in the past few years. The problem for the Soldiers of Destiny is that they are no longer there or thereabouts. Their fate is halfway between being Manchester United and, worse, another fallen giant Leeds United.

They have not collapsed as commentators like Noel Whelan too quickly predicted but their recovery has plateaued. It has been compounded by a lack of fresh blood and there is no quick solution to remedy that other than a general election.

The party did well in the local elections but the European election was a washout - and backfooted the party badly. So, Fianna Fáil is condemned to being middling to mediocre at the moment. Those nil-nil draws will bring it nowhere.

The Big Money Factor. Fine Gael always played second fiddle but the extraordinary events of the last three years of the last government has thrust it into the role as the biggest party in the State.

A bit like Chelsea and Manchester City, this is not its traditional position but its claims to be the biggest and strongest have been bolstered by resources. There is no other party (well, besides Sinn Féin perhaps) which can match it in terms of money and personnel.

My colleague Arthur Beesley had a good story this week of a €1,000 a table fund-raising dinner in London. It's clear that big business also back the party more than others. Of course they are not the only factors.

The party has a number of very strong players (Kenny, Varadkar, Noonan, Coveney) and has the most settled squad. With the introduction of some younger players (Donohoe, Humphreys) can still maintain its position at the top. Won't score at the same level as it did in 2011 but will still be in front of the pack.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.