With Fianna Fáil local election nominations due in this Friday, it's emerged that Galway City voters will be seeing some new faces on the ballot paper next June.

Ollie Crowe.

According to a senior Fianna Fáil source, there will be a number of new faces in the line-up, as the party desperately tries to make up ground on 2004's disastrous results, in which Fianna Fáil claimed just two seats, those of the late Councillor Michael Leahy (Ward 1) and Cllr John Connolly (Ward 2).

While Cllr Mary Leahy has since been co-opted into her late father's seat and the party has benefited from the addition of Michael Crowe in Ward 1, three out of 15 is still small potatoes for the country's largest party.

Nominations from the city's 30-odd cumainn must be with party headquarters by Friday, and all city council candidates across the country will be interviewed by a board chaired by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan before being put on the ticket.

In Ward 1, formerly the North and East Ward and now renamed Galway City East, nominees will include sitting Councillors Michael Crowe and Mary Leahy, along with newcomers Síle Mangan and Pat McGann. Former candidate Fearghal Wall (of the Doughiska Residents' Association) has also been mentioned as a possible runner.

Ward 2, Galway Central, will feature Ollie Crowe, brother of Michael, and former Mayor Martin Quinn, who lost his seat in 2004's rout of the main government party. Sitting councillor John Connolly is also expected to re-run.

Those expected to be in the running for Ward 3, (the old South Ward, now confusingly renamed Galway City West), which currently has no Fianna Fáil councillor, include solicitor Peter Keane, VFI President Val Hanley and newcomer Phelim O'Neill.

In 2002, Fianna Fáil candidate Tom Cox was eliminated on the ninth count, while Val Hanley, the outgoing Councillor for Ward 1, lost out on the fifth count.

Another factor that could influence the Fianna Fáil choices for next year's local elections is the future of the Progressive Democrats.

The ailing party also holds three seats on Galway City Council, those of Donal Lyons (Ward 3), Declan McDonnell, and Terry O'Flaherty (both currently Ward 1). If rumours of the PDs' demise are not greatly exaggerated, Fianna Fáil could have up to three sitting candidates.

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