Clare local election count to be paused for Munster SHC final

It's been confirmed that the Clare local election count will be paused at 4pm for throw-in of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship final clash between Clare and Limerick.

Just one candidate has been deemed elected so far this Sunday morning at Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis, with Fianna Fáil's David Griffin getting in on the first count in Shannon.

The newcomer has beaten the quota of 1,456 with 1,534 votes, winning the first seat on the Shannon MD.

Following the third count for Shannon, Independents Conor O'Brien and Pat Barry have both been excluded, leaving 12 candidates for six remaining seats.

No candidate has yet been elected in Kilrush after four counts.

While Fianna Fáil's Rita McInerney is still in the lead with Independents Ian Lynch and Dinny Gould close behind, all are well over 300 votes short of the quota, meaning it could be late this afternoon before she or indeed any candidate is deemed elected in the west Clare area.

A senior staff member of Clare County Council has confirmed that the count will be paused to allow candidates, staff and spectators to watch the Munster Senior Hurling final against Limerick.

It's understood that the match will be shown both in the bar, and on the big screens set up for the count here in the ballroom at Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis.

As the Limerick count centre also have the first-ever mayoral elections to count alongside the Treaty city and county vote, it's understood that that count will not be paused.