AS IT STANDS: No candidates elected on first count in Offaly and too close to call final outcome

No candidates have been elected on the first count in Offaly and it is far too close to call final outcome. 

With a quota of 9,347 votes, transfers will decide this election with a close fight being forecast for the final seat. 

Sitting Independent TD Carol Nolan is in a strong position to retain her seat and it would be a major shock if she doesn't cross the finish line at some point today. 

With 8,282 first preference votes, she is just over 1,000 votes short of the quota of 9,347 and should be on course to be the first TD elected in the first Offaly only constituency. 

Fine Gael's John Clendennen polled the second most first preference votes at 6,580 but he is 2,800 votes off the quota and in need of transfer help as he will be hampered geographically when the distribution of other candidates votes begins. 

Fianna Fail's Tomy McCormack received the third most first preference votes but despite this he is considered to be in a strong position as he will likely receive substantial transfers from his running mate Claire Murray and former Fianna Fail councillor Eddie Fitzpatrick.

Sinn Fein's Aofie Masterson received the fourth highest number of first preference votes at 6,211 leaving her just 369 votes behind Fine Gael's John Clendenneb.

As the eliminations begin and the transfers start, that battle between Clendennen and Masterson feels like the one to watch when it comes down to deciding the third seat in the Offaly constituency.

Here is the full result of the first count in the Offaly constituency.

Electorate 62,931
Total Poll: 37,634
Valid Poll: 37,385

Carol Nolan (IND) - 8,282
John Clendennen (FG) - 6,580
Tony McCormanck (FF) - 6,349
Aoife Masterson (SF) - 6,211
Eddie Fitzpatrick (FF) - 2,961
Claire Murray (FF) - 2,564
Fergus McDonnell (Ind Ire) - 2,074
Pippa Hackett (Green Party) - 925
Keisha Taylor (PBP) - 576
Mike Boylan (IND) - 546
Maureen Ward (Aontu) - 317