WATCH: 'Chap' Cleere on cloud nine as he tops Kilkenny election poll
Stay up to date with 'Election 24 with Kilkenny Live
Three candidates have officially been elected in the first count for the Callan-Thomastown area. They are: Peter 'Chap' Cleere (Fianna Fail), Joe Sheridan (Fianna Fail), and Joe Lyons (Fine Gael).
Cllr Cleere topped the poll with a massive 2,057 first preference votes - FULL DETAILS HERE
Speaking to Kilkenny Live, Mr Cleere thanked all his supporters and the people of Callan-Thomastown for electing him to office and vowed to continue to work hard for the area.
The politician who was patrolling the line in UPMC Nowlan Park as manager of the Kilkenny senior camogie team earlier also hailed the team ethos within the Fianna Fáil party locally, congratulating first time candidate Joe Sheridan on his election while wishing his fellow party colleagues the very best of luck over the weekend.
The Skeoughvosteen native added he was relieved to be over the electoral finishing line and expressed sympathy for the election hopefuls who will have to sweat it out over the remaining days.
After a short period of rest, 'Chap' confirmed he will be wholeheartedly ready to serve for the next five year period.