Elaine Loughlin: Buoyant Fianna Fáil eyeing up the 'magic 50' 

Fianna Fáil has always had a weakness in the capital, but is set to make gains this time around.

Ballot papers for Cork South Central at the count centre for general election 2024 at Nemo Rangers, Cork on Saturday.

Micheál Martin's party is now hopeful of leap-frogging both Fine Gael and Sinn Féin to be the largest party in the country, and could even breach the 50 Dáil seat mark if the stars align.

This could be as many as 10 seats more than Fine Gael, which is now looking at returning around 40 TDs to the next Dáil.