WEST TYRONE: 6 SEATS:CREATED ONLY in 1997, West Tyrone is among the more unpredictable constituencies.
A rural constituency centred on Omagh, it has had closely fought internecine battles on both the unionist and nationalist sides.
This election will be marked by some key figures running against their former parties and the retirement of two-term Independent Assembly member Dr Kieran Deeny.
With Alliance also running and the UUP working hard to build on its fortunes the fate of the final seats is anyone’s guess.
What is certain is that Sinn Féin will do well, probably holding three of the six seats, even allowing for a change of personnel.
For the SDLP this is a key target constituency and it is running flat out to pick up a seat here that should not have been lost in the first place.
Running too many candidates when there is a clearly identifiable quota has cost the party dear in West Tyrone, as has the alienation of Dr Deeny, who won his seat on the retention of Omagh hospital platform.
The DUP is well placed to hold one of its two seats here and make a serious pitch for the second.
Alliance is also standing, as it is in all 18 constituencies. Although starting from a low base, Eric Bullick’s candidacy complicates the picture yet further.
Expect a dogfight for the final two seats and keen attention paid to the, perhaps volatile, transfers pattern.
OUTGOING:
Barry McElduff (SF) Pat Doherty MP (SF) Claire McGill (SF) Thomas Buchanan (DUP) Allan Bresland (DUP) Kieran Deeny (Ind).
CANDIDATES:
Michaela Boyle (SF), Allan Bresland (DUP), Thomas Buchanan (DUP), Eric Bullick (Alliance), Joe Byrne (SDLP), Pat Doherty (SF), Ross Hussey (UUP), Declan McAleer (SF), Barry McElduff (SF), Paddy McGowan (Ind), Eugene McMenamin (Ind).
LOCAL ISSUES:
The Omagh hospital controversy has lost much of its political bite. Local passions are being stirred by the proposed new A5 dual carriageway – part of the main Dublin-Derry/Letterkenny improvement scheme.
VERDICT: SF 3, SDLP 1, DUP 1, UUP 1