Spotlight is on Galway for the Races - and it returns soon for key FF session

Even without ‘the Fianna Fail tent,’ the political spotlight will inevitably fall on Galway next week as the photographers pick out the politicians in the enclosure – with people like Brian Cowen and Enda Kenny sure to feature as they make their annual pilgrimage to Ballybrit.

For Kenny, a regular at the Races, it will be one to remember, for this time he is back in the Fine Gael ‘winners enclosure.’ This is despite the fact that there may still be growls from what Liam Cosgrave once called the ‘mongrel foxes.’ They’re the ones who are skulking out there in what Kenny has described as the recently trimmed FG ‘long grass.’

Plainly, there are still some who will feel that Kenny can’t translate into a ‘classic winner.’ They still have their reservations as to his personal ability to connect with the electorate and maximise the election result for FG.

But no one dare challenge him now. That day has passed and he has roundly routed his enemies until at least after the next General Election. He’s one man ‘on a winner in Galway’ next week and all the FG connections better know it.

Another to watch out for in the ‘parade ring’ will be Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore. Surely he will feature in Galway – as ‘the most popular political leader in the country’ with the punters.

In his native county, Gilmore will probably take the opportunity to show off his Galway East hopeful Councillor Colm Keaveney – for if ever there was a chance of a Labour seat capture in that constituency, it is now, and Keaveney will be a key part of that team.

As for Gilmore, he seems prepared to invest the time in the constituency and I hear word that he is still considering on a list of possible contenders to run with Colm Keaveney. In the meantime, Keaveney is out working ‘on the gallops’ with house-to-house calls being made by Labour activists as they try to put FF’s hugely experienced ‘ould stayers,’ Michael Kitt and Noel Treacy, under pressure.

You can be sure also that Brian Cowen and Enda Kenny will be ‘doorstepped’ by the media ..... and there may not be as much tolerance for the usual banter about whether they had any winners, or do they have any tips. A sterner line of questioning may be possible in a city where 700 queued for jobs in Race Week which will last just one week.

Usually the politicians in Ballybrit like to keep the questions and answers on the lighter side, but there never seems an occasion now where someone is not ‘doorstepped,’ whether on holidays or not.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.