‘’No sooner had ballot papers begun to tumble out of boxes at the count centre in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, than tallymen for all sides were predicting that Healy-Rae was going to rock FF,’’ according to the book, The Mighty Healy-Rae. His performance was better than expected. What’s more, he topped the poll with 7,220 votes. As he had warned, FF lost its second seat in Kerry South and he was the winner. As the day wore on and results from around the country came in, it became apparent that FF would not have enough seats to form a government. Speculation centred on possible support from Independent TDs who might help FF and the PDs form a government. The media wanted to know from Jackie if he would support Ahern for Taoiseach and on what conditions. The answer came rapidly – Bertie would have to come and meet him and there was no way his backing for FF in the Dáil could be assumed. Celebrations reminiscent of those that followed the victory of John O’Leary in 1966 continued into the early hours in Killarney and Kilgarvan. Supporters of the man who would become the most colourful TD in the 28th Dáil sang and drank till dawn broke over the Kerry hills. And interesting events began to unfold.