Shock in Coole as FF names just two for poll

There was surprise among Fianna Fáil members in Coole as they learned that the party plans to run only two candidates in the Coole area for the forthcoming local election.Serving councillor Paddy Hill of Castletown-Finea, and Westmeath hurling star John Shaw from Raharney are the only nominees confirmed on the Fianna Fáil ticket in Coole, it emerged on Monday morning last.Last week, there were indications that one of three candidates in the Delvin area - Dermot Mullen, Imelda O"Shaughnessy and Eamonn Bray - would get the nod as a third FF runner in north Westmeath.All three, nominated by Fianna Fáil cumanna in the Delvin area, underwent the party"s rigorous interview process late last year, but head office took months to reach a decision.But a letter circulated by FF headquarters on Monday said that the party"s National Constituency Committee has 'decided to further assess the merits of selecting a third candidate, based in the Delvin area', keeping candidate strategy in Coole 'under review'.Auctioneer John Shaw - who was expected to win selection - has already ruffled feathers as a potentially popular candidate with young voters in north Westmeath. The talented Raharney hurler, who captained Westmeath to glory in the inaugural Christy Ring Cup in 2005, applies his trade with Egan Auctioneers, Mullingar.Cllr. Hill, meanwhile, has served numerous terms on Westmeath County Council, and was re-elected to the body in 2004.MullingarIn a surprise development in Mullingar political circles, former Fine Gael town councillor Pat Whelan has confirmed that his 18 year old son Graeme will contest the party"s Mullingar Town Council co-option convention, which takes place on February 15 in the Newbury Hotel, Mullingar.A second year Mechanical Engineering student at NUI Galway, Graeme is a member of Young Fine Gael at NUIG, and he will appear as a delegate to the YFG Conference in Athlone on February 21 and 22.General election candidate Peter Burke is expected to be the other candidate, and will be favourite to win the co-option vote, although former local election runner Graham Temple could figure as a surprise contestant.Last week, another Mullingar candidate was confirmed when Sorca Clarke, a married mother of two from Ardleigh, Mullingar, was named as Sinn Féin"s candidate for Mullingar West and Mullingar Town Council.Originally from Artane in Dublin, Sorca comes from a strongly Republican family, and moved to Ardleigh with her family in early 2005. She attended Dublin Business School and later Griffith College, where she qualified as a Certified Public Accountant. She currently works as a self-employed accountant in the town.Sorca, an active member of Westmeath Sinn Féin for four years, is very involved in the local community and has been involved with a number of local groups including the Mullingar St. Patrick"s Day Committee. In addition, she is currently on the Board of Management of a local school as a Parents" Representative and a member of the Ardleigh Vale Residents" Association.KilbegganMeanwhile, Fianna Fáil has confirmed the three candidates who will contest the Kilbeggan LEA for June"s local elections.Sitting councillor Paul Daly will be joined by Vincent Bagnall and Vinny McCormack.Kilbeggan native Paul Daly was co-opted on to Westmeath County Council in July 2008 following the death of Cllr. Tom Cowley. Cllr. Daly serves on the Midland Regional Authority and the Planning SPC. He is Chair of Kilbeggan Race Committee and Chair of Westmeath Ploughing Association.Cllr. Daly is a former player and secretary of Kilbeggan Shamrocks GFC, and the Director of Westmeath Football Supporters Group.Vincent Bagnall is an auctioneer and a first time candidate. He is a member of St. Mary"s Football Club in Rochfordbridge and the Secretary of the New Forest Golf Club. His niece, Georgina, is running for election in Mullingar East.Vinny McCormack is also a first time candidate. He manages a bar in Ballymore. Vinny is the Secretary of the Ballymore Football club and PRO of Fr. Dalton"s Hurling"s Club. He is also involved in the local Tidy Towns, and is part of a training scheme to encourage use of defibrillators in the locality.