South Antrim: It was four hours before the first count was completed. But already ex-IRA prisoner Martin Meehan was declaring an "historic breakthrough" for his party in what was once a no-go area for republicans.
"South Antrim has been dominated by discrimination since this state was formed. The cause of Irish unity will be number one on my agenda," he declared.
A veteran campaigner with the republican prisoners' group Saoirse, he himself spent 66 days on hunger strike in prison, before his conversion to politics - a conversion that looked set for success last night as he closed in on the fifth of six seats in the constituency.
The main loser from his success is due to be the Alliance Party leader Mr David Ford, a man whom Mr Meehan attacked for erecting posters, reading "Meehan or Ford: You Chose", in the final days before polling.
The Sinn Féin candidate described the placards as "sectarian, a breach of electoral law and absolutely despicable, especially for a supposed middle-of-the-road party".
While Mr Meehan's success raised a few eyebrows, there was no surprise in David Burnside's topping of the poll on the first count. Speaking with the sureness of a future leader of the Ulster Unionists, a post he is rumoured to fancy, the anti-agreement candidate said the election result had sent a "very clear message that the agreement has not worked".
As he gave a V-sign in front in a notice-board with the first round results, one of Mr Burnside's aides made the predictable quip: "He got it wrong; it should be this way", and she reversed a peace sign with her fingers.
Despite 18.9 per cent of first preferences, Mr Burnside wasn't jumping for joy. Like everyone else, he knew this election would be decided by transfers and, he said, the absence of a cross-unionist voting pact was "an absolute disgrace". By discouraging transfers to the UUP, the DUP "are going to let in Martin Meehan," he stated bluntly.
Although that looked likely last night, Mr Ford had yet to give up hope. "I will definitely do better with transfer votes," he maintained. Between the upbeat predictions, however, one could hear the confidence draining from his voice, as he spoke of how it had been always been a "marginal seat", nay "a lucky gain" for Alliance five years ago. Despite a sharp drop in his support and that of party colleague Mr Seán Neeson in neighbouring East Antrim, he claimed: "We are making an impact where other parties have disappeared completely." If Mr Meehan lands a seat today his next battle will be getting through the door of the Assembly - judging by Mr Burnside's conviction that Sinn Féin must be barred from parliament pending the cessation of violence "100 per cent completely." He said: "I would rather have the worst Englishman, Welshman or Scotsman as Minister than Martin McGuinness again." But Mr Meehan stated: "Sinn Féin are here to stay."