ALL OVER BAR THE COUNTING

Tally begins in race between frontrunner Connolly and Fine Gael rival Humphreys

- CILLIAN SHERLOCK and GRAINNE NI AODHA

THE candidates to become Ireland's next president were out casting their votes after polling stations opened across the country yesterday.

Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, who secured the backing of a coalition of opposition parties, voted in the Claddagh area of Galway after going for a swim.

She arrived at the polling station on her bicycle, accompanied by son Stephen, and took a moment after voting to read students' thank you messages to outgoing president Michael D Higgins and other thoughts on the presidency.

Ms Connolly cycled away before returning to meet her aunt Cathleen Flannery, who has recently been released from hospital.

She took her aunt into the polling station in a wheelchair before emerging again to chat with other voters.

STAFF

Before departing, she told reporters she had gone for a swim at a local leisure centre that morning, and was planning to “hide away” for the rest of the day.

Fine Gael candidate Mrs Humphreys, who held several ministerial portfolios, voted at Killeevan Central National School, Newbliss, Co Monaghan.

She was accompanied by her daughter Eva and one-year-old granddaughter Charlotte.