Read more: They’re off! Irish General Election is finally called

Fianna Fail’s nationwide election problems have been highlighted in an Irish Times poll which indicates the party could be wiped out in the Cork North Central constituency.

Sitting TD and Minister for State Billy Kelleher is in grave danger of losing his seat despite leader Micheal Martin’s request to axe his running mate Noel O’Flynn.

That decision was made in an effort to secure one seat for the outgoing government in what was always a traditional FF stronghold.

But not even the election of Corkman Martin as new party leader has saved the Fianna Fail vote in Cork North Central ahead of the General Election on Friday week.

And their problems in the working class constituency mirror many of those experienced by Fianna Fail candidates across the country.

The poll was conducted by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of the Irish Times and asked constituents to vote on a sample ballot paper.

Fianna Fail had taken 35 per cent of the vote in Cork North Central in the last general election but that support has now plummeted to just 13 per cent.

Sinn Fein are the big gainers in the Irish Times poll with Jonathan O’Brien hotly tipped to win a sear after doubling his support from the last election.

Labour’s sitting TD Kathleen Lynch is also likely to be returned but her vote isn’t believed to be strong enough to pull running mate John Gilroy across the line.

Serving Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen has retired but FG candidates Pat Burton and Dara Murphy should take one seat.

Kelleher is expected to battle it out with Socialist Party candidate Mick Barry for the final seat.

Read more: They’re off! Irish General Election is finally called