PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS MEET POLL-TATOES AT THE PLOUGHING

PRESIDENTIAL candidates trudged through the mud on the final day of the National Ploughing Championships, as young people practised voting ... for potatoes.

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN in Screggan, Offaly

Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys spent hours walking about the hundreds of tents in Screggan, Co Offaly.

All smiles with her entourage, the presidential hopeful was met by supporters who took photos and proudly placed stickers on their clothes.

Attendees also welcomed former Dublin GAA boss Jim Gavin, as even a man in a Mayo jersey posed alongside Fianna Fail's candidate.

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly didn't make an appearance on the final day, but put in the muddy hours on Monday and Tuesday.

The Electoral Commission set up a realistic mock election where voters had to give their preferences for mashed, baked, chips, hash browns, roasted, steamed, boiled or hasselback potatoes.

After the three days, the nation's favourite would be revealed, with transfers given.

Speaking outside Sinn Fein's tent, leader Mary Lou McDonald said she didn't believe it was a disadvantage that they haven't announced their presidential pick yet - meaning they possibly missed out on meeting hundreds of thousands of voters.

However, she gave a very strong indication the party will either run Pearse Doherty or back Catherine Connolly for the Aras, and said their choice will be "a game changer".

The party will be unveiling its plan for the presidential election this Saturday after staying tight lipped. There has been much speculation that Deputy Doherty will be revealed as Sinn Fein's candidate.