Fine Gael is facing formidable odds in its efforts to regain its Donegal North-East Dail seat, which was once considered to be as safe as any in the State.
The party has chosen Mr Bernard McGuinness, from Culdaff, a businessman and member of Donegal County Council since 1979, as its candidate.
Although the national executive has the option of nominating a second candidate, its strategy is likely to centre on Mr McGuinness as the sole standard-bearer for the party.
Mr McGuinness, an unsuccessful candidate in the recent Seanad by-elections, concedes he will have a tough battle, but adds: "I have worked hard as a councillor for over 20 years, so I have a good track record. I believe I can win a seat."
The Fine Gael seat was held in Donegal North-East by Mr Paddy Harte from 1961 until the last election. The 1997 election was hard-fought in the constituency, with Ms Cecilia Keaveney, who won her seat in the 1996 by-election caused by the death of the Independent Fianna Fail TD, Neil Blaney, and Mr Blaney's brother, Harry, among the contestants.
Poll-topper Ms Keaveney, with 8,317 first preferences, and Mr Blaney, with 7,484, took the first two seats, and the outgoing Fianna Fail TD, Dr Jim McDaid, who had 6,538 first preferences, eventually held his seat with a margin of 515 votes over Mr Harte.
A Fianna Fail vote-management strategy had paid off handsomely, securing two seats for the first time since the departure of long-serving minister Mr Neil Blaney from Fianna Fail in the aftermath of the 1970 arms crisis.
Dr McDaid, from Letterkenny, will be running next time with a much-increased profile, following his term as Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation.
Ms Keaveney again demonstrated her vote-getting ability in last year's local elections, when she topped the poll with 2,199 first preferences in the Inishowen electoral area, 363 votes over the quota, and over 600 ahead of Mr McGuinness.
Mr Harry Blaney stood down from Donegal County Council last year, and was succeeded by his son, Niall, who topped the poll with over 2,000 first preferences in the Milford electoral area.
However, Mr Harry Blaney intends to run again for his Dail seat.
Mr McGuinness will have to dislodge one of three strong sitting TDs if he is to win back the party seat. He also has to rebuild a local constituency organisation which has been dogged by infighting. In 1997, the Fine Gael vote fell by 3.43 per cent to 18.9 per cent, its lowest since 1943.