O DRISCOLL, SHERLOCK AND O KEEFFE MAKE EARLY RUNNING
With the general election campaign now well under way The Avondhu  took to the streets of Mitchelstown and Fermoy over the past week to  get an early straw poll as to just who the people want to form the next  government.
During market day in Mitchelstown on Thursday of last  week, 30 people were asked just two questions. What party and what  candidate would they vote for on election day?
Those surveyed were made up of men and women of all  ages and, while the results are not as comprehensive as other polls,  they do give an insight into the preferences of the electorate in the  area.
It was a very close call between the Labour party  and Fianna Fail - 9 voters said that they would support the Labour party  and Deputy Sean Sherlock, while 8 said that Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe and  Fianna Fail would get their number one.
Cllr Pa O’Driscoll was placed in third position, with  7 people declaring for Fine Gael. Three people said they were undecided  while two admitted no interest. There was no mention of Sinn Fein, the  Green Party or any independents at this stage in the campaign in  Mitchelstown.
 THE STORY IN FERMOY
In Fermoy the local town mayor and Fine Gael  candidate, Cllr Pa O’Driscoll predictably came out on top with 5 votes  followed by Sean Sherlock (Lab) on 2 while David Stanton (FG), Michael  Ahern (FF) and Kevin O’Keeffe (FF) got 1 vote each.
Amongst those surveyed in Fermoy, a number of people  said that they were undecided while others declined to comment. When  both the Mitchelstown and Fermoy straw polls are tabulated the results  are as follows – Cllr Pa O’Driscoll 13, Deputy Sean Sherlock 11, Kevin  O’Keeffe 9, David Stanton 1 and Michael Ahern 1.
One Fermoy lady, who said that she is going to vote for Fianna Fail, told The Avondhu that she felt sorry for Brian Cowen when she saw him on the television.
Published: 
	Thursday 3rd February 5:19pm