Newry and Armagh: A young DUP gospel singer, Mr Paul Berry, topped the poll in Newry and Armagh, where Sinn Féin made huge gains over the SDLP.
The former SDLP Assembly member, Mr John Fee, a nephew of the late Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiach, looks set not to be re-elected.
Sinn Féin last night seemed certain to win three of the four nationalist seats in the constituency.
It represents a major advance by the party which now looks set to secure the Westminster seat when SDLP MP, Mr Seamus Mallon, steps down at the next election. Conceding defeat, Mr Fee said: "I am worried by the trend in Newry and Armagh, and all over Northern Ireland, for confrontational-style politics."
The DUP reversed the last Assembly election result and pulled ahead of the UUP.
Mr Berry was returned with 8,125 votes. He said the majority of unionists in the constituency had clearly voted anti-Agreement.
Also returned on the first count were former Ulster Unionist Assembly member, Mr Danny Kennedy, and former Sinn Féin Assembly member, Mr Conor Murphy.
The SDLP's Mr Dominic Bradley and Mr Jim Lennon will fight it out for one seat.
Mr Davy Hyland and Ms Patricia O'Rawe look set to be elected.