With just 25 boxes to be tallied in the Galway East constituency, it is becoming clear that Sean Canney (Ind) and Cllr Albert Dolan (FF) will pick up seats and could even be elected on the first count.

And the odds also shortened on Sinn Fein’s Louis O’Hara winning a seat – although he needs a major transfer in order to get elected.

Last time out he polled over 7,100 first preferences and was ahead of Deputy Anne Rabbitte and Deputy Ciaran Cannon but was starved of transfers and failed to get elected

While Fine Gael have three candidates in the field, they may be struggling to win even one seat.

Their main contender, Pete Roche in Abbeyknockmoy is not doing as well as expected and could be involved in a battle with Portumna’s Anne Rabbitte for the last seat.

Galway East is a four-seat constituency.

Stay up to date with the latest news from the count on connachttribune.ie.