MICHEÁL MARTIN WAS in optimistic form as he arrived at the Nemo Rangers count centre in Cork this evening. Two constituencies are being counted at the sports complex on the southside of the city, and the Fianna Fáil leader is expected to top the poll in Cork South Central when first results are announced later tonight.

The results of the poll, conducted by Ipsos B&A today for The Irish Times/RTÉ/TG4/TCD, and released just after polls closed, are as follows: Sinn Féin 21.1 per cent, Fianna Fáil 19.5 per cent, Fine Gael 21 per cent,

Sorting of votes commenced at 9am in centres around the country to determine who will – and won’t – be making it into the next Dáil. Last night’s exit poll puts Sinn Féin on 21.1%, Fine Gael on 21% and Fianna Fáil on 19.

Stakes were high for the main political parties of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin going into this election, with polls showing them neck and neck.

Fine Gael (21 per cent) and Fianna Fáil (19.5 per cent) are virtually neck-and-neck in terms of first-preference votes in the general election, according to an exit poll. The Social Democrats are on 5.