Sinn Féin's Rose Conway Walsh set to top poll in Mayo

Outgoing Mayo Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh is poised to top the poll in the five-seat Mayo constituency.

The final tally polls show her first preference return standing at 10,111.

Although it is somewhat short of her 2020 return of 14,633, it is still a resounding endorsement of her work-rate and representation to the county over the past five years.

It also points to a level of disappointment in government performance, most notably in the area of housing, on which Ms. Conway-Walsh has been a strong campaigner.

However, the Fine Gael party will be delighted with the success of its outgoing TD and Minister of State Alan Dillon.

The tally returns show him having a first preference haul of 9,431 and in a strong position to retain his seat.

That's a sharp increase from his performance of 5,158 in his first general election in 2020, reflecting a vote of confidence in the time he has invested in the development of the county.

There is also good news in the tally figures for outgoing Ballina TD and Minister of State Dara Calleary, the longest-serving and most experienced candidate in the field.

He has recorded 8,533 first preferences. Although it is down from his 2020 performance of 9,163, he can look forward to another term in Dáil Eireann.

After this, the Mayo picture is very fascinating with Fine Gael newcomer Councillor Mark Duffy, who was elected as an independent in last June's local election, accumulating 5,913 votes, leaving him in a strong position to win a seat.

But whether or not he can attract sufficient transfers to reach the quota, estimated to be in the region of 11,500, remains to be seen.

If Councillor Duffy missing out on a seat, questions will be raised over the party's decision to field four candidates.

By the same token, Fianna Fáil will have questions to answer of its strategy if it fails to win a second seat.

Closely following him in the battle for the final two seats are his Westport-based party colleague Keira Keogh (5,774), Lisa Chambers FF (5,496) and south Mayo-based Independent Councillor Patsy O'Brien (5,212).

Most observers believe the last two seats will be filled from that group, but Aontu is still optimist that its candidate, Paul Lawless, will make a late charge when the transfers kick-in.

Transfers likely to have a significant impact are those from Gerry Murray, SF (3,609), Martina Jennings FG on 3,468, Chris Maxwell (Independent Ireland), who polled 2,453, Stephen Kerr (Independent), with 3,471.

There is a strong prospect of two candidates being elected in Mayo today with the remaining three on Sunday.

The final tally breakdown for each candidate is as follows:

O'Conaill 921

Calleary 8,500

Chambers 5,496

Conway-Walsh 10,111

Daly 1,179

Dillon 9,431

Duffy 5913

Forkin 71

Jennings 3,471

Keogh 5,774

Kerr 3,261

Lawless 4,448

Loftus 433

Maxwell 2,453

Murray 3,609

O'Brien 5,212