(Writes through with debate)

By Paul Hoskins

DUBLIN, May 17 (Reuters) - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern called in international support ahead of a television debate on Thursday in which neither side landed the killer blow likely to tip the scales in a close election race.

Despite his achievements after 10 years in office, Ahern faces an uphill battle to win a third term in a general election next Thursday after a furore over payments from businessmen forced him to publish receipts to show he had not taken bribes.

Ahern turned for support to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who told Irish voters in a political broadcast that Ahern had made an "immeasurable" contribution to Ireland's dynamic economy, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who praised him for helping bring peace to Northern Ireland.

Ahern told viewers during Thursday's debate he had answered "totally and completely" questions surrounding his own finances and sought to highlight his track record on the economy.

"We're internationally recognised as being better than anybody else," he said of Ireland's attractiveness to investors.

An overstretched health service, where nurses have been staging work stoppages, and a creaking transport system that has failed to keep pace with a fast-growing population have added to a sense among voters that it may be time for a change, however.

"I agree with Tony Blair that 10 years is enough for anybody," opposition leader Enda Kenny said of the British premier's decision to step down in June.

Ahern was guilty of a "litany of broken promises", he added.

"That's going to be the difference between your government and mine because my government will deliver," Kenny said in a debate characterised by picking holes in manifestos which make broadly similar pledges on tax and spending.

CLIFFHANGER

As both sides claimed victory in the debate, commentators said it had probably been too close to call -- something that could favour the opposition given its momentum in the polls.

"If it was a debating competition, personally I would have scored it narrowly in favour of Bertie Ahern but we're not talking about a debating society, we're talking about politics and Bertie Ahern needed a clear victory," Mark Hennessy of the Irish Times said during post-debate analysis.

Kevin Rafter, political editor of the Sunday Tribune, said Ahern's Fianna Fail party would be relieved to have its campaign back on track after a shaky start but that Kenny had also done enough to prove he had the wherewithal to be prime minister.

"This is a cliffhanger of an election it's going to be a very tight result and in that sense I suppose it's no surprise, given everything that's at stake, that tonight in my view would be a draw," said Rafter.

Recent polls show that despite Fine Gael's gains, neither side has enough support to be sure of winning a majority.

That means smaller, undeclared parties such as the Green Party and IRA political ally Sinn Fein could end up the kingmakers while some believe Fine Gael's election partner, the Labour Party, could switch to Ahern if there is no alternative.

Ahern will hope to capitalise on the 'Bertie-factor' as polls show that while his party's support has slipped his own ratings have held above 50 percent and ahead of Kenny.

"He is their most potent weapon," said Damian Loscher, managing director of pollster TNS mrbi. "He has a remarkable capacity to connect with the people."

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