TALLIES: Roscommon-Galway: Fitzmaurice set for seat in first count

The tally people have estimated that the quota will be 11,287 and with Fitzmaurice pulling an estimated 12,904 votes, he will likely be the first candidate returned.

His transfers will likely benefit Sinn Féin County Councillor Claire Kirrane, who is currently running in third place.

The sitting Fianna Fáil TD Eugene Murphy is in the battle of his life to hold onto his seat running behind Cllr Kirrane.

Murphy is polling 4,987 first preferences while Kerrane is at 7,837. The second Fianna Fáil candidate, Orla Leyden, daughter of political stalwart Senator Terry Leyden, has drawn 3,019 votes and her votes could prove crucial to Murphy if he is to get over the line. But pundits at the count in Dr Hyde GAA Park have cast doubt that they will be enough to pass out the Sinn Féin candidate who lost out on the seventh count in the 2016 poll.

Former communications minister Denis Naughten is in second place with 8,310. It could take at least seven counts for him to make the quota.

Fine Gael's Aisling Dolan, who secured a seat as an Independent in Galway County Council last May, has 5,391 first preferences.

The first count is estimated to be announced at around 5pm.

Main photo: Counting underway in the Hyde Centre Cathal Concannon, Ballinasloe, Ollie Moore, Sean Og Hurley, Cllr Aisling Dolan, and Michael Mullins. Pic Gerry Stronge

The completed tally: