Opposition determined to keep control in a county of two halves

County profile - Carlow: Carlow is either a very content county or there is major anti-Government sentiment, depending on which party is doing the talking.

The Opposition controls the 21-seat county council with a majority of just one, and virtually all parties are bullish about either maintaining what they have or gaining a seat in Friday's election.

A settled rural population to the south contrasts with the growing urban population in the North, where there has been a huge increase in the commuter population.

The issues include traffic congestion, speeding through the county's villages, and parking.

Fianna Fáil says there is a "general air of contentment". One activist said the only hostile reaction they got was "from a voter who complained that the continuous white line on the road from Leighlinbridge to Carlow town was too long, allowing no overtaking".

But he acknowledged: "They could all be waiting in the long grass." The Opposition parties are convinced the electorate is waiting.

With five wards and 45 candidates in the county council elections, one of the biggest fights could be in MuineBheag, where there are currently two Fianna Fáil, two Fine Gael and one Labour councillor.

There are 11 candidates for five seats, including five FF candidates. The party suggests it could gain a Fine Gael seat because of the return of Martin Nevin to the fold and the retirement of Fine Gael's sitting councillor Mary McDonald.

But Fine Gael believes Fianna Fáil will split its vote. Mr Nevin parted company with Fianna Fáil in an internal row and ran unsuccessfully as an Independent last time around. He rejoined and was added to the ticket by headquarters to the chagrin of local candidates, stoking up an intense internal party competition, particularly with Eddie Cullen, who came in 130 votes behind Mr Nevin at the last election.

The sitting councillors Enda Nolan, brother of TD M.J. Nolan, and Arthur McDonald are expected to be re-elected, as is Fine Gael's Cllr Denis Foley, who has two running mates, farmer Michael Drea and electronic technician Michael Nolan.

Labour's poll-topping councillor, Jim Townsend, is expected to do the same again this time around. In Borris, the 1999 poll topper Green party deputy leader and Euro election candidate Mary White, will have a fight on her hands. She is expected to hold onto her seat but with a much lower vote. Her European campaign raises her profile but some opponents have used it to question her ability to "have potholes filled at the foot of Mount Leinster if she's off or planning to be off in Brussels".

Labour councillor Michael Meaney is expected to top the poll this time around while Fianna Fáil's Cllr Dolores Barron is retiring.

In Tullow, there are two FF, two FG, and one Labour seat. Fine Gael has an outside chance of a third seat, but most likely the status quo will apply. Since Carlow has grown so big it was divided into two electoral areas in the 1999 elections. The poll topper in No 1 area, Fianna Fáil Cllr Jimmy Murnane died in office and his daughter Jennifer Murnane O'Connor was co-opted and is expected to retain the seat. Fianna Fáil is running three candidates to retain two seats while Fine Gael's two candidates are sitting councillor Declan Alcock and Collette Fennelly.

Matt Diskin is running for the Green party but is also a candidate in Co Laois, which may count against him. Labour's candidate Des Hurley has moved to No 2 area to be replaced by Jimmy Brennan.

In Carlow No 2 Fianna Fáil TD M.J. Nolan was replaced by Lorraine Hynes on the council, who is likely to keep the seat. Fine Gael is running Gerard Dunne and Wayne Fennell. The Progressive Democrats' Cllr Walter Lacey is likely to keep his seat.