Two out of three ain’t bad for Fine Gael

Despite the bitter rivalry between the Kelly, Clune, and Harris teams during the campaign, the battle plan succeeded in the end and the party nailed two seats in the South.

The third day of the Ireland South count saw two Fine Gael candidates, sitting MEP Sean Kelly and former senator Deirdre Clune, take the European crown and the second Fianna Fáil candidate, a Green, Labour, and anti-bailout campaigner bow out.

Just 3,562 votes separated Ms Clune and Mr Harris by the end. Ms Clune described herself as “thrilled, delighted and really honoured to be elected”, while Fine Gael MEP, former GAA president Seán Kelly, described the dual victory as a great day “for the Fine Gael family” in the South as they bucked national trends.