All About Cork: No TD for Ballincollig but candidates vow to work on

Many people in Ballincollig had hoped that the general election might give the village its own TD, but, ultimately, it was not to be.

As the PR-STV system ground through 17 counts over three tiring days in the Cork North Central centre in Nemo Rangers, those hopes had evaporated by the 11th count on Sunday evening, two weekends ago.

With a quota of 9,846, it was clear from Saturday morning’s tallies that each of the five local candidates would have their work cut out. By the time the first count was called, around 7.30pm on Saturday evening, that challenge had crystallised.

Of the 21 candidates in the constituency, Fianna Fáil’s Pádraig O’Sullivan was topping the poll with 7,708 first preferences, Sinn Féin’s Thomas Gould had 7,399, and Fine Gael’s Colm Burke TD had 5,736.

Of the Ballincollig candidates, Sinn Féin’s Joe Lynch was leading, in eighth place with 2,894 first preferences. Immediately behind him was Fine Gael’s Garret Kelleher, on 2,790, followed by Fianna Fáil’s Sandra Murphy Kelleher, in 13th place, with 2,100 votes, the Social Democrats’ Ciarán McCarthy in 17th place, on 1,228, and Independent Joseph Peters in 12th place, on 107.

Joseph Peters was first to be eliminated, on the first count. Next was Ciarán McCarthy, around 9pm on Saturday night, on the second count, with 1,245 votes.

Sandra Murphy Kelleher went around 11am on Sunday, on the sixth count, with 2,335 votes. Joe Lynch was eliminated on the ninth count, on 3,393 votes, just before 3pm. Garret Kelleher lasted longest, being finally knocked out at teatime on Sunday, on the 11th count, with 3,930 votes.

Mr Kelleher offered his thanks to everybody who had supported him in the election.

“I was delighted with the vote I got in Ballincollig and Ballinora and with the transfers I received from the other local candidates when they went out,” he said. 

“Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get enough support in other parts of the constituency and, like our other local candidates, I ultimately came up short.”

Mr Lynch said that as a first-time councillor, he was fortunate to be able to continue representing Ballincollig on Cork City Council.

“I believe a TD from the village would have been to the community’s benefit, and I’m disappointed that those who needed a real change of government won’t get that, but achieving the best-ever result for Sinn Féin in Ballincollig is something my team and I are very proud of,” he said. “We’ll continue working day in, day out, for the community in the years ahead.”

Ms Murphy Kelleher said she was immensely proud to have received 2,100 first-preference votes.

“I want to thank everyone who supported me during this campaign: Your encouragement and belief mean the world to me,” she said.

“Although this election did not bring the result I hoped for, I remain dedicated and will continue to seek opportunities to contribute. Together, I believe we can make a meaningful difference and build a brighter future.”

Mr McCarthy said it was better to fight and lose than not to fight at all.

“I have knocked on too many doors of homes in which three generations of the same family were living to feel in any way sorry for myself,” he said.

“I would happily fight and lose a thousand elections, and work for and represent my community, if I felt that I could contribute to ensuring that our young people had the same opportunities as I had.”

Mr Peters said that he was happy with the votes he had received, having had a very late start.

“I am really grateful to the people who gave me 107 first preferences, and I’ll be ready in five years’ time,” he vowed.

Pyke Theatre Christmas social

Members of the Pyke Theatre Group will hold their Christmas social evening at 8pm tonight, Tuesday, December 10, at Ballincollig Rugby Club in Tanner Park. Members promise that it will be a great night of music and dancing, story and song. Admission is free of charge, with a raffle on the night, and tea and sandwiches served. All are welcome.

Wreath-making classes

Ballincollig Family Resource Centre will host the second of its Christmas wreath-making classes from midday until 2pm on Monday, December 16. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome.

Field of Dreams Christmas tree

If you would like your Christmas tree to be extra special this year, and to aid a very important charity, the Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams on the Clash Road is offering a special range of real pot-grown trees that will enhance any family home this festive season.

All trees are over five feet tall — including the pot — and the charity has three ranges of tree: Blue Range, Noble Fir for €90; Yellow Range, Noble Fir for €70; and Red Range, Norway Spruce for €60.

Each tree is ready to take away in its own pot and can be kept outside until ready to be brought into your home for decoration. To make sure the tree does not dry out, you will need to regularly water it whilst indoors and after the festive season it can return to your garden until December the following year. The horticulture team on site can give practical advice to care for your tree when you come to collect it.

All of the trees are grown at the Field of Dreams, Clash Road, Curraheen, T12 XH4C which is open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.

As there is no delivery service, trees can only be collected from Monday to Friday.

For further information, contact
Jennifer.markey@downsyndromecork.ie or call Field of Dreams on (021) 487 8328.

Christmas Mass times

Sacristan Geraldine Drohan has let us know this year’s Christmas Mass times for Ballincollig. Christmas Eve Mass will take place in St Mary and St John’s at 6pm and 10pm. Mass on Christmas Day will be at 8.30am, 10am, and midday. Christmas Eve Mass will take place in Christ Our Light at 6pm and 8pm. Mass on Christmas Day is at 11am and 12.30pm.

Ballincollig GAA lottery

The numbers drawn in the weekly Ballincollig GAA Club lottery on Thursday, December 5, were 5, 10, 17, and 18. With the club’s lottery jackpot at €20,000, the draw is now at the highest amount it can reach and must be won.

There was no winner drawn last week, and consolation prizes went to: Steve Dixon, who won €100, Brendan Murphy, who won €50, and Philomena Healy, who won €50.

The next draw will take place this week, on Thursday evening, December 12. For details on how to enter the club’s weekly draw, see the club’s social media pages.

Have Ballincollig news to share? Contact donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie