It's shaping up to be a 2-2-2 result in Ballina

TALLY figures from Ballina suggest a 2-2-2 split as a possible result of the local elections.

That would see two Fine Gael, two Fianna Fáil and two Independent councillors elected to the Ballina Municipal District.

That's possibly good news for five outgoing councillors, the Fine Gael duo of John O'Hara and Jarlath Munnelly, Fianna Fáil pair Annie May Reape and Michael Loftus, and Independent Seamus Weir, and great news for Independent Mark Duffy, who's poised to win a seat at the first time of asking.

Duffy, who ran a high-profile social media campaign, is on course to top the poll with 1,938 first preferences and get elected on the first count, with John O'Hara (1,929) set to do likewise.

The Fianna Fáil race is closer, with Eamon Moore (1,102) pushing his colleagues Annie May Reape (1,212) and Michael Loftus (1,310) very hard in a fascinating three-way run.

Seamus Weir (1,119) appears to be strongly in contention but it will be interesting to see where transfers will come from. If he isn't transfer friendly, Fianna Fáil could take a third seat, or either of the Fine Gael pair of Kieran Gill (722) or Aileen Horkan (536) could make it three for their party, assuming Jarlath Munnelly (946) keeps his seat.

Other tallied first preferences are: Willie Nolan (Ind) 368, Michael Regan (Sinn Fein) 267 and Tracey Smyth (Social Democrats) 178.

The Ballina count will get under way later this afternoon in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar.