IN the most hotly contested convention for over 25 years, Fianna Fail in Limerick West last night selected two new candidates to replace their retiring TDs, Mr Gerard Collins (MEP) and Mr Michael J Noonan.

From a field of eight candidates, Councillor Michael J. Collins, brother of Gerard, emerged as a clear winner on the first ballot with a massive 61 per cent of delegates' votes.

In the ballot for the second candidate, Councillor John Clifford was elected after four rounds of voting.