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    McDonald promises Sinn Féin’s presidential election decision will be a ‘game-changer’

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    By Irishexaminer.com,Louise Burne Political Correspondent

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    McDonald promises Sinn Féin’s presidential election decision will be a ‘game-changer’

    Sinn Féin will announce on Saturday whether it will back another candidate, such as Catherine Connolly, or run its own. Suggested names include Pearse Doherty and Michelle O’Neill. However, Ms O’Neill is not fluent in Irish.

    “We will have a decision on Saturday, and I think Sinn Féin’s participation will be a game-changer in this election,” she said.

    “It’ll be very much ‘game on’. The leadership will bring its decision, make it public on Saturday.

    “We’re going to be very active in this important campaign, which starts on September 24, with the close of nominations. Then there’ll be four weeks or a bit more of active campaigning, plenty of time for people to make up their minds.

    “Our objective comes down to this: For us in Sinn Féin, we want to get Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil out of government, and we want to keep Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil out of the Áras. That’s what our campaign will aim to do.”

    When asked what she meant by “game-changer,” Ms McDonald replied: “a game changer”, “Match of the Day” and “Up for the Match”.

    “Does it sound very GAA?” she asked.

    “I think the decision taken by us, we’re a large party, we’re a national party, and a national organisation, I think, will be very influential in this contest.”

    Ms McDonald said the party has had an “intensive deliberation” and confirmed it has spoken with Catherine Connolly and her campaign team, as well as with other potential candidates.

    Answering questions in Irish, Ms McDonald said she believes the president should be able to speak the language and that the party’s candidate has “a lot of Irish.”

    The Sinn Féin leader said she had decided not to contest the election as she was “keenly conscious that we have made commitments to the Irish people, to sections of society that desperately need effective representation”.

    She added: “I don’t quit on things. I stick with them.”

    Ms McDonald confirmed that she, Pearse Doherty, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill will announce the candidate on Saturday.

    She did not respond to suggestions that the late decision allows Ms O’Neill to spend a short time away from Stormont.

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