Hush turns into a roar for Billy the Kid

JUST after 6.30pm, the hush descended, as respectful a silence as ever gifted to Ronan O’Gara on any occasion he steps up to the ball. Except this time it was Martin Harvey, Cork city sheriff, stepping up to the microphone to finally announce the first count results.

“These are the results of the count for Cork North Central,” he said, conscious he had the ear of an expectant room.

The first name called was Fine Gael’s Bernard Allen, close, but as yet, no cigar. Next up were Socialist Mick Barry and Independent Niall Brennan before Harvey took stock with a pregnant pause.