'Another week and a half would have been a really big help to me,' says Jim Ryan

One to remember for those elected, one to forget for the rest of the candidates who must dwell on the count and consider running in future.

The election can be one of those things put down to experience for Jim Ryan who was in the hunt until the daylight was fading on Monday evening.

Jim was in the mix with Michael Smith and Ryan O’Meara  for a seat after soaking up transfers from across the board.

The loss cuts deeply as he was so close to a seat.   A  hint of regret at not canvassing even more was on his mind once it came to the counting of the votes:  “I am happy with how I did considering I only entered the race four or five weeks ago and had a small enough team behind me. 

“We only had a short time for canvassing so I was never going to get to cover the whole constituency,” says Jim Ryan.

“Another week and a half would have been a really big help to me to get into Nenagh and Newport among other places but I have to say I am really proud of my canvassing team and my family.

“Count centres are a place of excitement and nerves and I have been through all the emotions over the last few days.  
“It is a big learning curve. I will reflect.

“This time I am really happy with the response I got on the doorsteps."

He summed up the views of many of those who ran but were just outside the top three when he said: “You never know when the next election could be!”