General election battlelines drawn

General Election battlelines have become much clearer this week with the two main parties in government - Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil- announcing their candidates for Cavan-Monaghan.

Cllr Carmel Brady was hastily added to the Fine Gael ticket after her Cavan colleague, TP O’Reilly, and Monaghan’s David Maxwell were earlier nominated at convention.

The party’s initial preparation was thrown into disarray following the surprise announcement by Minister Heather Humphreys, that she intends to retire.

Fianna Fáil meanwhile last night lined up their election team, and with much less surprise - backing sitting deputies Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth, alongside Senator Robbie Gallagher.

With five seats up for grabs, Sinn Féin were first out of the traps when deputies Pauline Tully and Matt Carthy got the nod in September.

It remains unclear, even now, whether the party intends to add a third name.

Elsewhere, Independent Ireland’s Shane P O’Reilly is another name in the frame, as is Aontú returnee Cllr Sarah O’Reilly.

The Green Party will have Eddie O’Gara from Monaghan Town as a first time candidate.

Local election darkhorse Lester Gordon from Finea has announced his intention to run as an Independent, and farmer Val Martin stands for the Irish Freedom Party.