World of Politics with Harry McGee

And then there were three, because in the end Maria Steen fell just short of getting herself onto the starting line – and more’s the pity from a democratic perspective.

I would not share Maria Steen’s views at all, but I think a three-candidate presidential campaign will be very narrow…and very Leinster House. A fourth candidate would have offered another alternative view, a choice.

I’d side very strongly with Fintan O’Toole who wrote a few weeks ago that Steen represented a minority view in society, with which he profoundly disagreed but which should be heard.

Monday was a bloodbath for the other Independent candidates, particularly Gareth Sheridan.

I’m still not 100 percent sure why Sheridan decided to throw his hat into the ring. He presented himself as a young candidate (he’s 36) representing a generation of young citizens who have been locked out.

His messages were limited to a few key issues. But the president isn’t an issue-based role. It’s all about the person and their vision, and how they represent the country as head of State.

That said, Sheridan was a very composed and credible person who presented very well at the local authorities. He was very serious about having a shot at it and had assembled a team of experienced people around him.

He had focused on councils with a fair smattering of Independents and also depended on Fianna Fáil councillors abstaining in the interests of allowing serious candidates through, as they had done in the past. That was a mistake.

Once Jim Gavin was chosen, and even though there was no instruction to vote against any candidate, Fianna Fáil councillors uniformly blocked all nominations coming through.

Ultimately – after giving it his best shot – Sheridan was sanguine about it all.

“We gave it our best shot, we got two nominations, which was really encouraging, and we had a pathway and unfortunately the pathway in the plan didn’t work out.”

He said he had “no regrets” about seeking a nomination.

Seeing the writing on the wall, he cancelled plans to go to Louth; even if he had got a nomination there, he would not have met the threshold.

Meath and Offaly County Councils were two of the four prime targets for them that day, his spokesman said. “Losing Meath by one vote was a hammer blow. It was so tantalisingly close.

Pictured: Maria Steen… deadline day drama.