Postering already going on in the Galway ÔeastsideÕ political bear pit

There’s going to be one hell of a ‘scrap’ in the forthcoming General Election on the ‘eastside’ of Galway City – with Noel Grealish TD (Independent) the king pin in the area from the last election, but a field that would rival the Grand National, and all hoping to do well in the same area.

The Noel Grealish ‘heartland’ is in places like Carnmore and Claregalway, but in that ‘eastside’ area stretching right into the eastern districts of Galway City, there is a list of candidates that promises an electoral battle such as we have never seen before. All will be hoping to take votes throughout the five-seater area, but ‘the eastside’ is crucial to all.

Well, just look at the potential candidates who are hoping to take a big vote in that area – Noel Grealish TD (Independent), Frank Fahey TD (FF), Councillor Michael John Crowe (FF), Padraic McCormack TD (FG), Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames (FG), Councillor Brian Walsh (FG), and Councillor Derek Nolan (Labour), the man who hopes to replace Michael D Higgins TD, and who might yet have someone from the Oranmore-Claregalway council area alongside him, according to some speculation in Labour ranks.

It’s hardly any wonder then that the skirmishing has already openly begun in the ‘eastside’. And if you don’t believe me, could I point out that Fine Gael’s Padraic McCormack TD and FF hopeful, Mayor Michael John Crowe, were already busy postering.

The posters off the Renmore Road in the key eastern part of Galway City last week stood side-by-side and wished all the best to the Mervue-Renmore side, St James’, in the Intermediate football final. St James’ won the game and were promoted to senior status, but the McCormack and Crowe posters were still there last week – like a reminder of battles to come.

Padraic McCormack could certainly lay special claim to the event – for his son Michael was on the James’ side and Michael also had one of the crucial scores that put the side into senior football for the coming year. Makes you wonder could Michael McCormack be a political name to conjure with in the future?

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.