1997: FF 42.62%; FG30.57%; Lab 8.92%; PDs 4.19; Greens 6.58%; NLP 0.33%; Others 6.8%. Outgoing TDs: Mícheál Martin, Batt O'Keeffe and John Dennehy (FF); Simon Coveney and Deirdre Clune (FG).
Health Minister Micheál Martin is assuming Lynch-like popularity in Cork, so the only issue is the size of his first preference vote and whether FF can organise its orderly transfer to John Dennehy and Batt O'Keeffe. Besides this, the most notable features of the first count could be the performance of Green Party candidate Cllr Dan Boyle, Independent Health Alliance representative Kathryn Sinnott and Fine Gael's Deirdre Clune. Could either Boyle, or, even more sensationally, Sinnott end Clune's career, and with it the political dynasty created by her grandfather and continued by her father, Peter Barry? For her to survive, Clune's running mate, Simon Coveney, must have a surplus to transfer at some stage. Though helped by local environmental problems, Boyle may suffer from being too close to Martin's heartland. Labour's Sen Brendan Ryan first-count showing could indicate if he is on course to win back Toddy O'Sullivan's old seat.