Will FF be forced into Mayo election strategy rethink by FG?

A STRONG sense of harmony and ambition hallmarked the Mayo Fianna Fáil election convention in Castlebar last Friday evening at the Ivy Tower Hotel.

Delegates seems satisfied that a two-candidate ticket - consisting of Dara Calleary and Lisa Chambers - is the correct formula to winning back the seat lost by the latter in 2020. But is it? Only time will tell, of course.

However, the fact Fine Gael is preparing to run four candidates in the expanded five-seat constituency may force Fianna Fáil HQ to rethink the strategy.

Fine Gael holds its convention next Sunday in the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar when three candidates are expected to be chosen, namely Alan Dillon, TD, Councillor John O'Hara, Ballina, and Keira Keogh, Westport.

And it's an open secret at this point that Hollymount-based Martina Jennings, the CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice, will be added to the team at a later stage.

In the event of that happening, then surely Fianna Fail will need to rethink its strategy by fielding three candidates at least.

In those circumstances, don't be surprised if either Achill Councillor Paul McNamara or Belmullet Councillor Sean Carey enter the equation in order to put some pressure on Sinn Féin Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh as well as winning back support long held by Fine Gael Deputy Michael Ring in Achill and across the Erris barony.