'It's hardly a game changer' - Relief in Coalition as Sinn Fein opts to back Catherine Connolly

"Gareth Sheridan accuses Fianna Fáil of blocking his Áras bid"

"Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are breathing a sigh of relief after Sinn Féin announced yesterday that it was backing Catherine Connolly, rather than running its own candidate."

"Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald had hyped up yesterday's announcement as a "game changer" for the race."

Gareth Sheridan accuses Fianna Fáil of blocking his Áras bid. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael reacted with relief after Sinn Féin announced it was backing Catherine Connolly instead of running a separate candidate. Sinn Féin withdrew a potential candidate, consolidating support behind Connolly. Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin president, described the decision as a "game changer" for the race. The move alters the competitive landscape of the presidential contest and reduces the likelihood of a divided nationalist vote, affecting strategic calculations for rival parties ahead of the Áras election.

Read at Independent