Three FG councillors will run to contest the seat vacated by Heather Humphreys.
Fine Gael will run three established councillors to replace Heather Humphreys and try add a second seat in a key swing constituency.
The party’s plan for Cavan-Monaghan was thrown into disarray by the Social Welfare Minister’s shock resignation.
Fine Gael picked Monaghan-based David Maxwell and Cavan-based TP O’Reilly. And another Cavan-based candidate Carmel Brady will be added immediately on Saturday.
Just over 300 party members gathered in Cavan town to select two candidates, one in each county.
A late run by Senator Joe O’Reilly was fended off by his namesake, TP O’Reilly on the Cavan side.
TP O’Reilly got 138 votes, Joe O’Reilly 94 votes and David Maxwell 71 votes. But Mr Maxwell was the only Monaghan side candidate, so he was automatically elected.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the party had to win two seats in Cavan-Monaghan to get back into government.
Fine Gael will have to take a seat from either Sinn Féin or Fianna Fáil, which will be more difficult without Ms Humphreys.
The Social Protection Minister said she was confident the party would win two seats.
“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. So let’s get to work.”
