"The word is that Mairead McGuinness might be put onto the ticket, " said one delegate, as he eyed Chris de Burgh's daughter, "but this is fairly pushing out the boat."

Sadly for the Blueshirts, Enda Kenny had not delivered a glamour candidate. The 21-year-old Davison confirmed that she was at the same hotel as the convention delegates for a private party. In her place, Fine Gael settled for two local beauties, Cllr Nicky McFadden and Senator James Bannon.