GALWAY EAST - CANNEY AND MCHUGH TO FIGHT IT OUT FOR LAST SEAT

BY DECLAN TIERNEY

We are still awaiting a first count in Galway East but a dogfight is in prospect between Sean Canney and Tom McHugh in Tuam for the last seat.

As far as the tally figures are concerned they are neck and neck and, as the old cliche goes, it will be decided by transfers.

Paul Connaughton jnr and Ciaran Cannon of Fine Gael look certainties to win seats and pundits are giving another one to Micheal Kitt of Fianna Fail ahead of Independent Timmy Broderick.

Then the 'Tuam Two' of Canney and McHugh will be locked in an unmerciful battle for the last seat with nothing between them at the moment.

But no one here is ruling out the possibility of Timmy Broderick being around until the death.

It is the most intriguing battle in decades with the final two seats still anybody's. This is a count that will go into the late night or early morning.