Longford Westmeath General Election 2024: "It's not over until the trumpet plays," Joe Flaherty on his precarious position in the polls

Joe Flaherty spoke to the Longford Leader regarding his feelings on his position so far.

Joe Flaherty is the Longford candidate for Fianna Fáil and is the current TD for Longford having been elected to Teachta Dáil in 2020.

Flaherty’s position is a precarious one at the moment having received far fewer votes than originally expected. 

As of the seventh count he is sitting at a current vote count of 5,458.

“It’s an anxious time we’re into the twilight hours now, I started the morning 200 votes behind Sorca Clarke, but it’s pulled back on that while the margin has narrowed it’s still a big ask, I need a couple of things to go in my favour,” explained Joe Flaherty.

“It’s not over till the trumpet plays, I’m still there.

“I went home last night, my kids had a pizza and then the power went so I don’t know if that was ominous for today or not but we’ll see.

“It’s been a very positive election, we’re going to elect Micheál Carrigy here which is hugely positive for Longford,” he remarked.

“We’re still in with a shot for a second seat,” he said, “We’re going until the end and no one can say we didn’t give value for money.”

Joe spoke on the counts today, so far he hasn’t seen a great jump ahead but is optimistic for his position as the night goes on.

“I’m a naturally optimistic person, when you’re fat and you’re bald the one thing you have going for you is optimism so I am optimistic,” He joked.

“Nobody goes into an election thinking they’re not going to win it’s like going into a game of football you have to have a positive mindset going in.

“There were three Longford candidates it was always going to be very difficult as we’re out-polled two to one to Westmeath.”

For Joe to retain his seat a few things need to happen.

“I need to keep taking votes on the transfers I’m doing reasonably well but Sorca’s still picking up a few on me here and there.

“The question is the Labour vote, where is that going to go because she is Mullingar based the same as Sorca Clarke.

“I’m hoping a significant portion of those will go to Boxer Moran and ideally I need Boxer Moran to be elected for the three big distributions which will be Gerry Warnock, Barry Campion and Paul Hogan.

“Sorca Clarke is going to get the Lion's share of the Barry Campion votes.”

Joe is proud of his campaign and everyone who aided him and showed up throughout it.

“I was very dependent on family, friends and supporters they put in a Trojan effort, I’d be disappointed for them if we don’t get the results that we want but I know they eft no stone unturned,” he concluded.