Sparkling party poppers exploded across Mallow GAA hall as all three seats were filled for Cork North-West at close to 3am.
Fianna Fáil TD Aindrias Moynihan topped the poll with 10,094 followed by first-time TD but long-term Fine Gael councillor and former mayor John Paul O’Shea with 9,351.
Fianna Fáil’s Michael Moynihan retained his seat with 9,057 votes.
No candidate reached the quota of 10,712.
“I’m thrilled to bits, it’s a huge honour to have got that support from people,” Aindrias Moynihan said.
Constant campaigning throughout his Dáil term, getting out and knocking on people’s doors was “crucial” to his electoral success, he said.
“People value being asked for their vote and the debate on the door, where they can put across their issues and get answers.”
But he acknowledged that his constituents face cost-of-living, childcare and housing challenges along with local roads and water infrastructure problems.
“People are under pressure. But they feel we can take on the challenge.”
Mr O’Shea said that his Dáil seat “has been a long time coming.”
“I’m delighted. It’s my third general election,” he said. “It’s very important we get a good mandate over the next week and then talk about forming a government.”
Michael Moynihan said that he was “extremely proud” to have survived his seventh election.
“It’s been a long night. But the work goes on. We now have to represent the people to the best of our ability.”
Improving disability services will be one of his main priorities in the 34th Dáil.