Fianna Fail leader Michéal Martin was in Fermoy on Monday to rally the troops. The party leader visited the town at the invitation of the local Sean MacGearailt cumann. He addressed an open meeting of party members from the town and area in Fermoy Community Youth Centre on Monday night. Beforehand though he had time for a quick visit to the Clancy Street, Redmond Street and Cork Road area of the town where he knocked on doors with local councillors Kevin O'Keeffe and Frank O'Flynn and cumann members and engaged with local residents. He was, he told this reporter, not doing an early canvas as such but 'doing some calling on doors'.

It'll come as no surprise to hear the economy was the number one issue being brought up on the doorsteps, followed closely by unemployment, property tax and other charges.

"A key issue that's also being raised is second level education and the prospects for colleage leavers. People are speaking about having to see their children migrate for work," he told The Avondhu.

The meeting on Monday night was attended by some 120 party members who heard him speak about the state of the party, including its recent gains in popularity in opinion polls, the measures taken to give members more say in the party including that every member now gets a vote at their Ard Dheis which is coming up on the weekend of April 26th at the RDS in Dublin. Afterwards he opened the floor for a questions and answers sessions.

"He really engaged with members and he got an excellent reception. The mood was upbeat. The meeting went on for two and a half hours. People left the meeting with a lot of confidence that things are looking up," cumann secretary Paul Lillis said afterwards.

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