Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick will allow his name to go forward for the forthcoming General Election campaign, according to local media reports.

While no firm decision has yet been announced, it now appears likely that Fitzpatrick's name will be on the ballot paper as a Fine Gael candidate.

Local radio station LMFM tweeted on Sunday that Fitzpatrick had decided to accept Fine Gael's invitation to contest the election, which is due to take place on Friday 11 March next.

The Clan na Gael clubman, who was a reliable servant of the county during a lengthy playing career, replaced Eamonn McEneaney as Wee County manager ahead of the 2010 campaign.

He steered the county to the final of both the O'Byrne Cup and the Leinster SFC, and emerged with reputation enhanced following his considered response to the hugely controversial nature of his side's defeat to Meath in the provincial championship.

The Louth constituency will see plenty of change from this year, with long-serving Fianna Fáil Minister Dermot Ahern having announced that he will be stepping down and Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams fancied to take a seat in the first election he has contested in the Republic of Ireland, where he replaces departing Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan.

Should he confirm his candidature, Fitzpatrick will stand alongside Fine Gael's education spokesman Fergus O'Dowd, who was first elected to Dáil Eireann in 2002. Tweet

Most Read Stories