I see Fine Gael is having its Tipperary selection convention in the Ragg near Thurles on Friday. There are six candidates vying for the nod. Former minister Tom Hayes is not one of them, although he had been expected to run.

Running are Michael Fitzgerald and Michael Murphy, who last contested a general election in 1982. Mary Hanna Hourigan is also hunting.

Garret Ahearn, son of former FG TD Theresa Ahearn, who has been working as a close aide to Simon Coveney, is seeking the vote. The Ahearns farm near Ardfinnan.

Shelagh Marshall and Mary Newman are new candidates. Mary is the sister of Dublin TD Kate O’Connell. She is a vet and works with an animal health company.

You could puck a ball from the Ragg to the milking parlour of former ICMSA president, and now sitting Fianna Fáil TD, Jackie Cahill.