The Fine Gael party have selected Gay Mitchell as their candidate for president.

As the largest party their winner will automatically be favorite to become the next president

It was neck and neck with Mairead McGuinness and Gay Mitchell both European MPS facing off against Pat Cox,former president of the European Parliament.

It was being called too close to call by everyone in the media .

However, it was no surprise to see Mitchell, former Dublin Lord Mayor and great vote getter for the party shade the race.

He is the one with the longest pedigree in Fine Gael and that tends to count a lot with the party faithful.

As against that he is said to be performing badly in internal polls and party leaders were said to prefer Cox.

It will be interesting contest for president.