Disappointment for O’Shea after exit

Seanie O’Shea’s priorities will return to the upkeep of Wexford FC’s pitches following a ‘disappointing’ performance in the General Election.

Eliminated on the third count after receiving just 825 first preference votes the Independents 4 Change candidate admitted the short run-up had hindered his chances of winning over voters.

‘I’m surprised at my figures, I’m a bit disappointed obviously,’ he said. ‘ I knew it was going to be next to impossible but I thought I would have done a bit better.

‘In hindsight I should have made it known I was running after the by-election, but with the way the vote was going today there was only going to be one winner.’

That winner was Sinn Féin’s Johnny Mythen and, like almost everyone else in the building on Sunday night, Seánie was full of praise for the poll-topper.

‘I’ve great time for Johnny. I think he’s a good guy. Sinn Féin have some serious operators but the big test will be if they can carry out what they said they would.

‘Up until now they’ve been in opposition and that has stood to them because they’ve got the big vote.’

Admitting he’s unlikely to contest an election again, Seánie said it had been a rewarding experience nonetheless and one which had opened his eyes to the plight of those living in the county’s marginalised areas.

‘I met some lovely people on the canvas. But there’s some people out there; it really opened my eyes, they’re not in a good place.

‘People might think I’m in a bad place because of the result but I’m not, I’m okay. Compared to a lot of people I’m in a very healthy place.’

But now, with the new League of Ireland season just days away, the chairman of Wexford FC switches his attention to ensuring the club are ready for action.

‘My future now is I’m back to marking football pitches, we have a football season starting in two weeks time,’ Seánie said.

‘I’ll have a good bit of work to get through to get ready for that.

‘This was probably just a brief dalliance. I’m disappointed with the result but I’m not disappointed I gave it a shot.’