Former Leitrim IFA chairman Pat Gilhooly has called for a recount as he chases a spot on the county council.

Gilhooly, who is running for first time on the Sinn Féin ticket in the Ballinamore electoral area, is four votes behind independent Gerry Dolan in the race for the final seat in the area.

At 5am on Sunday, after the seventh count, Gilhooly stood at 841 with Dolan on 845. It was at this point that Gilhooly's team called a recount. The recount will take place at 2pm on Sunday.

Gilhooly had to give up his position as vice chairman of the IFA's Rural Development Committee in order to contest the 2019 local election.

Elsewhere in Leitrim, beef farmer Paddy O'Rourke was elected on the first count with a first preference vote of over 1,300, some 400 ahead of the quota.

O'Rourke, who is also a fodder merchant, received the highest vote in the county and has been elected to the council for a fifth time.

Longford

Meanwhile across the county border in Longford, farmer Turlough "Pott" McGovern surprised most by topping the poll in the Grandard municipal district.

McGovern, who caught attention locally by calving a neighbour's calf while on the campaign trail, held off hot favourite Michael "The Ram" Carrigy for the top spot. McGovern received over 1,200 first preferences.

Carrigy has been selected to run for Fine Gael in the next general election. In the south of the county, beef farmer Paul Ross for Fine Gael will be elected on Sunday.