ONCE the stomping ground of SDLP heavy-hitter Seamus Mallon, the border constituency of Newry and Armagh more than most shows the downward trajectory of the party while the star of its Sinn Féin rivals been on the ascent.
The rise of Sinn Féin under Conor Murphy seemed, at least in 2011, to be unstoppable.
Since 2003, the party have held three of the six assembly seats in this constituency, which makes it one of their most stable in terms of support and voter loyalty.
This border constituency stretches from Loughgall to Crossmaglen and includes the cities of Newry and Armagh.
Support for Sinn Féin in so-called 'Bandit country' seemed in the past, at least, to be unshakable.
The party had said that support of rural republicans such as Thomas 'Slab' Murphy was key to the selling the peace process to the hardliners along the border.
What, if any, impact will his conviction in the Republic for tax fraud earlier this year will have on the loyalty of the voter base remains to be seen.
However, even dissatisfaction with the peace process is unlikely to benefit the SDLP, any real impact is likely to be in lower voter turnout rather than a switch of allegiance.
In an attempt to win back lost ground, the SDLP has tapped into the massive influence the GAA has in the life of many voter and are running formerArmagh county player, Justin McNulty.
The departure of sitting MLA, Dominic Bradley has allowed the party to reshuffle their local team.
Watch: Newry and Armagh
Newry and Armagh has the second largest registered electorate of the 18 Assembly constituencies. The key to all the parties' success this time is getting those voters to the polls.
More than most places Brexit is likely to feature as a question on the doorsteps, the return of a strengthened border in this area will have an impact on cross-border trade and business. In some rural parts of the constituency family farms and land cross both jurisdictions.
The removal of the border has benefited this area financially, as have farming subsidies from Europe, where parties will stand on that issue in the up and coming referendum will undoubtedly be an issue.
Armagh city is tourist-friendly destination with St Patrick’s trail, the old Armagh goal and cathedrals. Investment in cross border tourism and infrastructure features among voters concerns.
There have been a few changes to the line up since 2011. Sinn Féin's Megan Fearon as the youngest MLA in Stormont is co opted and has yet to face the electorate, this will be her first time tested at the polls but she has been a vibrant addition to the party and is likely to do well.
There are two safe unionist seats in the constituency with one each going to the DUP and UUP.
Danny Kennedy and William Irwin have been sitting MLAs in this constituency since 2003 and are both running again this time.
Former MLA, Paul Berry is running as an independent which could split the unionist vote and could take some first preferences away from the DUP.
- Seats won in 2011
Sinn Féin 3
SDLP 1
DUP 1
UUP 1
- 2011 share of first preference votes
Sinn Féin 39.9 per cent
SDLP 23 per cent
UUP 18.3 per cent
DUP 12.8 per cent
- List of 2016 candidates
Paul Berry (Ind)
Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin)
Emmet Crossan (Cannabis is safer than alcohol)
Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin)
William Irwin (DUP)
Danny Kennedy (UUP)
Alan Love (UKIP)
Martin McAllister (Ind)
Karen McKevitt (SDLP)
Justin McNulty (SDLP)
Conor Murphy (Sinn Féin)
Sam Nicholson (UUP)
Michael Watters (Green)
Craig Weir (All)