All over in General Election in Offaly as three favourites elected after titanic battle

It's all over in the General Election count in Offaly after the seventh count as the three pre-election favourites have ultimately prevailed after a titanic battle. 

Carol Nolan, Tony McCormack and John Clendennen have been elected to fill the three seats at close to 2am on Sunday morning.

Independent Carol Nolan topped the poll with over 8,000 first preference votes and she was eventually elected on the fifth count. She was joined by Fianna Fail's Tony McCormack and Fine Gael's John Clendennen after the seventh and final count. 

But while the three will take their seats in the Dail, it wasn't straightforward as Sinn Fein's Aoife Masterson was right in the hunt up to the final count.

She was second in the running after the fourth count but the transfers from Fianna Fail's Claire Murray and Independent Eddie Fitzpatrick proved pivotal as they pushed Tony McCormack and John Clendennen past her and ultimately got them elected.

In the end Offaly returned one Independent, one Fine Gael and one Fianna Fail which was as expected and Offaly will have two new TDs in the Dail in Tony McCormack and John Clendennen.

RESULT OF THE SEVENTH COUNT IN OFFALY

Carol Nolan (IND) - 9594

Tony McCormack (FF) - 9039 + 112 - 9151

John Clendennen (FG) - 8550 +67 - 8617

Aoife Masterson (SF) - 8433 +68 - 8501

Eddie Fitzpatrick (IND) - 4113 (eliminated)

Claire Murray (FF) - 3422 (eliminated)

Fergus McDonnell (Ind Ire) - 2194 (eliminated)

Pippa Hackett (Green Party) - 934 (eliminated)

Keisha Taylor (PBP) - 590 (eliminated)

Mike Boylan (IND) - 560 (eliminated)

Maureen Ward (Aontu) - 317 (eliminated)