The acres of print and the hours of air time generated by the prospect of 'the empty chair' all seem a bit silly now. Was that it? Was that what all the fuss was about?

Tonight's much awaited debate between Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin and Labour's Eamon Gilmore on TV3 was about as exciting as a well regulated three rounds between a couple of pimply teenagers at the Holy Family boxing club. And as for Vincent Browne? Bad and all as he is when they take his muzzle off, he is seriously boring with it on.

Really surprisingly, for such experienced media performers, both Martin and Gilmore looked and sounded really nervous as they started. The hype had obviously gotten to them, along with the weird atmosphere around this over staged and over produced exercise in political chicanery. The first answers from both leaders has no substance and served as a vocal warm up only, Martin getting into his stride ahead of Gilmore in subsequent answers, and winning the debate on presentation and leadership potential, if not actually on substance.

It seems as if Gilmore has peaked early, all his huff and puff of the last few weeks evaporating before our eyes on screen. It sounded like he had been advised to tone down his usual pugnacity and argumentativeness in order to appear more statesman like, and a contender for the job of Taoiseach. The problem is that it didn't leave him any familiar tools to play with – and he came across as remote and wooden.

Martin is no nearer to the job of Taoiseach, but if it was a job interview in the eyes of any of the party faithful who wavered on the leadership vote, I'd say he impressed them.