FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots were simply putrid on Saturday as the Los Angeles Chargers humiliated them, 40-7 , at Gillette Stadium. If you didn't think it could possibly get any worse for this team, it got worse on Saturday. Usually we try to dig up some positives in this space, but let's be completely honest: There were no "Ups" from New England's debacle. It felt like the Chargers were a big brother just toying with their younger sibling. They got just about anything and everything they wanted on Saturday, while the Patriots are still looking for answers. Drake Maye made a nice touchdown throw, but he also turned the ball over again. The Patriots' offense wasn't able to get anything going as the offensive line struggled throughout, and the team scored its only touchdown on a broken play. Meanwhile, the New England defense was carved up by Justin Herbert and company, as Los Angeles completely controlled the game. The end result was New England's worst loss of the season, and a second six-game losing streak in Jerod Mayo's first season. Somehow, the Patriots are a worse team now than they were when the season began. There has been no consistent improvement with this team from week-to-week, and they progressively got worse throughout Saturday's drubbing. Coming out of the bye week, the goal was for the Patriots to play well and build toward next season. While last week's loss to the Bills had some upside, it's now sandwiched between two blowout losses -- a 30-17 defeat in Arizona and Saturday's walloping on their home field. Outside of Maye, no one in New England should feel safe after Saturday's embarrassing result. It's the kind of loss that usually leads to wholesale changes in the offseason, though we'll see if the Krafts will agree with that sentiment after next week's regular-season finale against the Bills. Here are all the "Downs" from the latest embarrassment from the 2024 New England Patriots. UP and DOWN: Drake Maye OK, there is one single play to highlight before we head back to the darkness that was Saturday's defeat. This throw by Maye off a free play was beautiful. WHAT A PLAY POP 🤩 @DrakeMaye2 | @popshotta3 📺: NFLN pic.twitter.com/fLkx8YTgfV Did you enjoy that? Good, cause that's all the positivity we have from Saturday's loss. Maye looked like a rookie more on Saturday than he has throughout the season. He was sped up as the offensive line struggled to keep the Los Angeles pass rush away from him, and he had another horrendous turnover on a failed lateral/backwards pass. (Maybe rip those ones out of the playbook, Alex Van Pelt.) Maye also had a few key misses, as he finished 12-of-22 for just 117 yards. At least Maye didn't throw a pick this week for the first time since Week 8. But he also took a very unnecessary shot to the head at the end of a scramble early in the game, which knocked him out for a series. He can't be putting himself in those spots, and needs to learn when to just go down while scrambling. (At least he was much better at doing that the rest of the way.) Maye has just one more game in his rookie season, and then the pressure to fix these mistakes will really ramp up in 2025. DOWN: Antonio Gibson DIDN'T start for Patriots Before the game, Mayo said that Antonio Gibson would be starting in place of Rhamondre Stevenson, who lost another fumble last week in Buffalo. But when the New England offense took the field for the first time on Saturday, Stevenson was lined up in the backfield. Stevenson only got two carries for the afternoon while Gibson got a dozen. But why the change to start the game? Mayo wouldn't really say. "It's a coach's decision," Mayo said to a pair of inquiries. "I'll leave it at that." But why say anything before the game if there was a chance the game plan would change? It's just another instance of Mayo having to walk back something he said, though that usually waits until Monday. This time, Mayo couldn't even make it to kickoff without having something to walk back. It's fair to question is he has any control down in Patriot Place. DOWN: Pats' defense put no pressure on Justin Herbert Mayo should be feeling the heat because the team is 3-13, and because the Patriots defense has taken a huge step back throughout the season. The Pats generated zero pressure on Herbert throughout the game, and he carved them up for 281 yards and three touchdowns. There was nothing the Patriots could do against the Chargers on Saturday, as Los Angeles completely controlled the game from the get-go. The Chargers dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 40:34 with the Patriots only managing a measly 19:26. Los Angeles ran 29 more offensive plays than New England, and outgained the Patriots to the tune of 428-181. The Patriots got their butts absolutely whooped on Saturday. While Mayo's seat is pretty hot at the moment, defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington should be really worried about a potential call into the principal's office on Monday. DOWN: Third down How did the Chargers hold on to the ball for so long on Saturday? The Patriots' defense couldn't get them off the field, letting Los Angeles go 10-of-17 on third down and a perfect 2-of-2 on fourth down. The Patriots' offense was an abysmal 2-of-10 on third down, and 0-for-3 on their fourth-down tries. "No complementary football, and that's what you get," Mayo said after the loss. DOWN: Ladd McConkey was real good for Los Angeles Eliot Wolf could have drafted McConkey with the 34th pick in last year's draft, and he would have looked incredible with Maye this season. Instead, he's looked incredible with Herbert in Los Angeles, and on Saturday he torched the Patriots. McConkey consistently schooled veteran corner Jonathan Jones and caught eight passes for 94 yards, including two of Herbert's three touchdown passes. The Patriots drafted Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker with the picks acquired in that draft swap with Los Angeles. Polk was targeted once on Sunday (which he didn't catch) and has just 12 receptions for the year. Baker also had just one target on Saturday, and is still looking for his first NFL reception. DOWN: Christian Gonzalez injured Second-year corner Christian Gonzalez has been another bright spot for the Patriots this season, but his day ended in second quarter on Saturday. Gonzalez was shaken up when he hit his head on McConkey while trying to bring down the receiver, and he was ruled out a short time later with a concussion. Even if Gonzalez clears concussion protocol before next Sunday, it'd probably be in New England's best interest to keep him out against the Bills. DOWN: Home Field advantage doesn't exist anymore The Patriots are now 1-6 at home this season, after going 1-7 at Gillette Stadium last season. They are just 10-23 at home over the last four seasons. The Patriots haven't had a winning season at home since 2020, when they went 5-3 in front of empty stands. Matthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years. He moved over to the web in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) in Boston sports.Number of seats: 4 Seats filled: 1 10pm: Mr Donohoe, Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure, said the main theme of the election is "one of the centre holding", describing Sinn Féin as "the weakest opposition party in Europe". He told reporters at the RDS in Dublin: "I think we're on the verge of a very, very positive election for the party and a very, very strong electoral performance." On the potential election of Gerard Hutch in his constituency, he said: "I think it's worth noting that the vast majority of people in Dublin Central have not voted for him, and the vast majority of voters in Dublin Central have chosen to put their votes behind other candidates and we will have to reflect in due course regarding why he performed like he did, but the big picture today is one of the centre holding, that's the big picture. "The big picture is, at a time in which incumbent governments all over Europe are struggling to get re-elected, the two larger parties within this government, in particular Fine Gael, are going to deliver a very strong performance." Referring to Sinn Fein he added: "It's now very evident that they're the weakest opposition party in Europe." 9.30pm: Clare Daly has been eliminated in Dublin Central after the fourth count. Mary Lou McDonald has already been re-elected. Gerrry 'The Monk' Hutch is now looking very likely to take the fourth seat, after Paschal Donohoe and Gary Gannon. Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe and Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats also look secure to win seats 8.30pm Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has been elected on the third count in Dublin Central. There were loud cheers from supporters as her election was announced. 7.47 pm After two counts in Dublin Central Mary Lou McDonald is nearly across the line for the first seat. She needs 41 more votes, and seeing how her running mate Janice Boylan has been eliminated she will benefit from her transfers. Also eliminated now are Andrew Kelly (Centre Party Ireland), and Ian Noel Smyth (Aontu) 7.30pm: After Count 2, Mary Lou McDonald's running mate Janice Boylan has been eliminated. Full results after the second count, with no one yet elected: McDonald, Mary Lou (SF) 6,510 Donohoe, Paschal (FG) 5,569 Gannon, Gary (soc Dems) 4,397 Hutch, Gerard (Ind) 3,187 Sherlock, Marie (LAB) 2,505 Fitzpatrick, Mary (FF) 2,427 Hourigan, Neasa (Green) 1,986 Steenson, Malachy (IND) 1,955 O’Ceannabhain, Eoghan (PBP/SOL) 1,497 Daly, Clare (Ind 4 Change) 1,367 Boylan, Janice (SF) 1,295 Eliminated this round: Janice Boylan (SF) Mary Lou 6.30pm Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has topped the first count votes in Dublin Central but no candidate has yet been elected in the constituency as no one has yet reached the quota. Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch is currently in fourth place, after Paschal Donohoe and Gary Gannon. Things are not looking good for sitting Green TD Neasa Hourigan in the four seater, polling 1952 first preference votes. Full results: Mary Lou McDonald 6389 Paschal Donohoe FG 5493 Gary Gannon - Soc Dems - 4353 Gerard Hutch - Independent - 3098 Marie Sherlock Lab 2465 Mary Fitzpatrick FF 2344 Neasa Hourigan Green 1952 Malachy Steenson - Non party - 1602 Eoin O Ceannabhain PBP 1471 Clare Daly Indepdents for Change 1317 Janice Boylan SF 1257 Eliminated Ian Noel Smyth Aontu 715 Andrew Kelly Centre Party 298 The second count has now commenced, with the eliminated candidates' votes being redistributed according to preferences. 5.30pm Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party had delivered an “incredible performance” in the general election. She made clear she wanted to engage with other parties about the “possibilities of government”. Ms McDonald arrived at the count centre in the RDS in a very positive mood ahead of the first official Dublin counts. The first thing I want to say is to acknowledge every single person right across the state who came out to vote for Sinn Féin,” she told reporters in the RDS count centre in Dublin this evening. Mary Lou McDonald (right) and deputy Michelle O'Neill (centre) arrive at the RDS (Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire) “You have given us again a powerful and a strong mandate, and we understand the trust that you have placed in us to make life better for you, and we are determined to do just that. This has been really an incredible performance by all of our candidates, by Sinn Féin across the state. “Over a short number of weeks we have achieved a result that many people a few weeks ago would have thought impossible. So thank you. Thank you to every single person who voted for us. “I said in the course of the campaign that I believe another five years of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is bad news for our society, for our communities, for families who are struggling, for our housing crisis, which is deepening, and nobody should miss the record homeless numbers that we saw on election day itself. “We’re now at a really important decision point for Irish society and politics, and we need change. “We intend when the votes are counted and when we know th e lie of the land, we will be talking to people about the possibilities of government. “I do not want to see another five years of the kind of chaos, the kind of disregard that we have seen under Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. I think that is a bad outcome for our society.” Speaking to Newstalk later, Ms MacDonald was asked if she had a message for Gerry “The Monk” Hutch: “Not particularly,” she said. "This is a democratic system; the people make the call. If he is a representative of the people to the Dáil he will have the same rights and responsibilities as the rest of us. “I look forward to and hope to be working with other colleagues on the left in the Dáil”, she added. 5.07pm Independent 4 Change candidate Clare Daly, who polled poorly in Dublin Central, said the fact that Gerry Hutch did well was an anti-establishment vote that could bring a needed focus on the area. “It’s incredibly interesting. It’s not a place I would have wanted to be obviously but I think we’ve seen the massive galvanising of that anti-establishment vote around the candidacy of Gerard Hutch,” she said. “I think all progressive Independents across Dublin probably suffered a little bit in favour of the parties as well, so it left me where I am.” “There’s huge goodwill out there and all the rest but I’m not going to get to see the benefit of all of the massive transfers that we got, but that’s life and I think it has put the world’s attention and the country’s attention on a constituency that has been so badly neglected, and for me that’s a really good thing.” “I hope that attention can be maintained and the people in this wonderful area can get the attention that they so badly deserve and haven’t got,” she added. Asked if she welcomes the fact that Hutch appears to have the level of support he has, Ms Daly said the fact that he is there in the constituency will focus attention on it. “The challenge will be to him to build on that. I do believe the constituency needs that. I don’t see him being a national parliamentarian or a legislator per se, which is part of the job, but if elected he could, if the will was there, really keep a focus on an area that has been left behind and is crying out,” she said. “There are so many people in that community trying their best. It is an incredibly diverse constituency with a lot of division within it.” “Let’s see what happens. Either way the constituency has spoken and by voting for Gerard Hutch in such numbers they’ve sent that signal anyway, and the political establishment should take note,” she added. 1.57pm Social Democrats candidate Gary Gannon has said he is humbled by the vote in Dublin Central. “I'm humbled and also determined to vindicate that over the course of the next five years. We've done a massive amount of work in Dublin Central. In terms of the work that we are doing on the ground, the strength of conviction we have bringing through issues in the Dail that was really starting to come back for us, and we were picking up a lot of momentum in Dublin Central. And I think today you'll see the results of that,” he said. Asked about the effect that Gerry Hutch had being on the ballot paper, Gannon said it was something that “none of us expected”. “He came in and he got a lot of media with this announcement, and that's going to be expected. But I think, for me, it's not just about what happens and who takes the fourth seat. I think it's a reflection of the fact that there's a lot of hurt, there's a huge amount of pain. I mean, that period of austerity in 2011 to 2016 destroyed the fabric of communities, and you're still seeing the tentacles of that now,” he added. “I appreciate what the headlines will be today and tomorrow, but I do encourage everybody to go beyond them and look deeper. Because when people are hurting to the extent that they are in, some of the communities that I represent the length and breadth of Ireland, and you're going to see outcries of that, and it'll manifest in different ways. And I think we're seeing one manifestation of that today,” he said. Asked if he thought the Hutch vote was a protest vote he said he didn’t think so. Soc Dems leader Holly Cairns gave birth to her first baby yesterday as the nation went to the polls, and Gary Gannon was delighted for her. “For me, I just want to say how in awe I am of Holly Cairns. She's not only our leader, she's my friend. She is somebody that has took the reins of this party two exceptional TDs in Catherine Murphy and Roisin Shortall, and she's really brought us on,” he explained. Regarding future plans and possible negotiations for government, he said the next step is to see exactly what's in the boxes. 1.30pm Independent candidate Malachy Steenson has said it looks like Mary Lou McDonald will take the first seat in Dublin Central, followed by Paschal Donohoe, and Gary Gannon for the Social Democrats will take the third seat. The battle for fourth seat could be between Gerry Hutch (Ind), Marie Sherlock (Lab) and Mary Fitzpatrick (FF) in his opinion. He thinks Sherlock may take it on likely transfers. The Monk is in the mix as Malachy Steenson gives his view on the tallies from Dublin Central “It’s a disappointing day for the Nationalist movement but it shows what acres of media coverage can do for a celebrity candidate,” he said in reference to Gerry Hutch’s entry. “The media have to look at the role they have played in this election in excluding people they didn’t agree with. Sadly, the people will pay the price,” he told the Irish Independent. 12pm With practically all the boxes tallied in Dublin Central the news of the day is how well convicted criminal Gerry Hutch has polled. From the outset he was doing well on tally sheets from his own inner city areas like North Strand, and there was an expectation among some of the tally crews that this would change as more boxes were opened. But his vote was strong across the city, and when it comes to the first count he looks destined to come fourth. Transfers in later counts will erode this, but the fact that he has featured so strongly has surprised many. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald will top the poll on around 20pc it appears, followed by Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe on around 17pc. Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats is polling in third place at 13pc followed by Hutch on 9pc. The fact that Hutch entered the race in the first place will have hurt the ambitions of right wing candidate Malachy Steenson, and Independent 4 Change Clare Daly, who are in ar around the 5pc mark. The Green Party’s Neasa Hourigan’s ambitions to retain her seat appeare to have taken a bruising, with the tallies indicating 6pc of the vote. Transfers will play around with the placings a lot, but this constituency is one to watch today. Read more
(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Monday, Dec. 23 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 5:30 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: TBD, Consolation Semifinal, Honolulu 7 p.m. SECN — MTSU at Tennessee 8 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: TBD, Semifinal, Honolulu 10 p.m. BTN — Seattle at Washington 10:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: TBD, Semifinal, Honolulu 12:30 a.m. (Tuesday) ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: TBD, Consolation Semifinal Honolulu COLLEGE FOOTBALL 11 a.m. ESPN — The Myrtle Beach Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA, Conway, S.C. 2:30 p.m. ESPN — The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: N. Illinois vs. Fresno St., Boise, Idaho NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBATV — San Antonio at Philadelphia 10 p.m. NBATV — Indiana at Golden State NFL FOOTBALL 8:15 p.m. ABC — New Orleans at Green Bay ESPN — New Orleans at Green Bay The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV . Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Demise of ‘woke’ would make society poorer
Singh won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that uses his own wordsPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held talks with Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait and discussed a roadmap to further strengthen the strategic partnership in areas including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology, cultural, and people-to-people ties. They emphasised on deepening economic cooperation between the two countries. Advertisement Modi met Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on the second day of his two-day Kuwait visit. Advertisement Modi invited a delegation comprising the Kuwaiti Investment Authority and other stakeholders to visit India to look at new opportunities in the fields of energy, defence, medical devices, pharma, food parks, among others. The leaders also discussed cooperation in traditional medicine and agricultural research. They welcomed the recent signing of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) under which new Joint Working Groups in the areas of trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security and culture have been set up in addition to the existing JWGs on Health, Manpower and Hydrocarbons. The leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of bilateral agreements and MoUs after the talks. These included an MoU on Defence Cooperation, a Cultural Exchange Programme, an Executive Programme on Cooperation in the Field of Sports and the Framework Agreement on Kuwait joining the International Solar Alliance. Modi has invited the Prime Minister of Kuwait to visit India. The MoU between India and Kuwait on Cooperation in the field of Defence will institutionalize bilateral cooperation in the area of defence. Key areas of cooperation include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industry, supply of defence equipment, and collaboration in research and development, among others. The Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between India and Kuwait for the years 2025-2029 will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature and theatre, cooperation in preservation of cultural heritage, research and development in the area of culture and organising of festivals. Executive Programme (EP) for Cooperation in the Field of Sports (2025-2028) will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of sports between India and Kuwait by promoting exchange of visits of sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in programs and projects in the field of sports, exchange of expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, sports science, among others. Advertisement
Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it heads for a winning weekOmantel’s transformational leadership, innovation honoured at CXO AwardsJean-Philippe Mateta struck in the second half with the only real piece of quality in a nervy encounter between two struggling teams. It is now two wins and three draws from the last six matches for Glasner’s side, whose winter revival is gathering pace nicely following a sticky start to the campaign. “I feel very happy, we’re all very pleased with the result, it was not the best performance but the result was more important,” said the Eagles boss. “Most of the time we controlled the game and we scored an amazing goal, a fantastic finish from JP. “We had more chances to decide the game but we couldn’t, but I think the win was well deserved. “We didn’t give them any chances from open play and with a clean sheet you can always take the win. “It’s a big win. Now it’s not time to sit back and relax but to keep going. In four days we face Manchester City. We stay humble. There are still many things to improve but we are on the right path.” Ipswich looked the likelier to score as a low-key first half drew to a close and were denied by a point-blank save by Dean Henderson from Harry Clarke’s near-post header. Shortly after the interval Wes Burns got clear down the right and lifted an inviting cross towards Liam Delap, whose header was straight at Henderson. However, from out of nowhere Palace conjured up a lightning counter-attack to go ahead on the hour. Eberechi Eze led the charge before feeding Mateta, who surged forward with a couple of stepovers before brushing off the attention of Jacob Greaves and finishing superbly past Arijanet Muric. It was the French forward’s sixth goal of the season, and his first away from Selhurst Park. Back came Ipswich with Leif Davis fizzing in another cross for Delap, who somehow mistimed his jump and completely missed the ball from six yards. As time ticked down Greaves looped a header against the far post, with the rebound just eluding substitute Ali-Al Hamadi. “Frustrating night,” said Town boss Kieran McKenna. “It was a tight first half, we weren’t fantastic in terms of the flow of the game and didn’t create as many opportunities as we wanted. But having said that neither did our opponents. “In the second half we conceded a really poor goal and that proved decisive. We can do better than we did tonight.”(Bloomberg) — Simon Harris’s Fine Gael party and coalition partner Fianna Fail look set to return to government after the Irish election, but the prime minister could face a battle to keep his post after his popular support appeared to drop. With counting still ongoing, early tallies and the official exit poll showed little to separate the two main incumbent parties and the opposition Sinn Fein. With no party having enough support to govern alone, the status quo will likely remain after both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail ruled out a deal with Sinn Fein. Though the overall outcome looks increasingly clear, it’s far from certain Harris will emerge with the upper hand in what could be difficult negotiations with Fianna Fail. Micheal Martin’s party trailed in the official exit poll, but early results suggest it could emerge with the most first-preference votes — the simplest guage of popular support — putting him in a better position in talks. “It’s far too hard to call at this stage as to who will come out as the largest party,” Harris told RTE on Saturday. “What is clear is that Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein will be tightly bunched when it comes to final seats.” Martin predicted his Fianna Fail would outperform the exit poll, telling reporters there’s a “route to a very strong finish” for his party. But he cautioned that electoral fragmentation meant forming a government would be “challenging.” To be sure, the picture could change as counting takes in second-choice and subsequent preferences to determine final makeup of the Dail or parliament. A tight race is far from what Harris envisaged when he called the vote early — it wasn’t due to be held until March — to try to capitalize on Fine Gael’s surge in support since he became Taoiseach in April. The media dubbed it the “Harris hop” and the 38-year-old made his campaign slogan “new energy” — despite being a former health minister and established government figure. A giveaway budget and what appeared to be a slump in support for Sinn Fein made it seem the optimal time to seek a new mandate. But Harris’s campaign was beset with slip-ups, starting with Ryanair Holdings Plc Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary using a Fine Gael event to make a jibe about teachers serving in government. The worst, though, was a viral video of Harris walking away from a disability care worker and dismissing her view that the government wasn’t doing enough. He later apologized. “Fine Gael may be a little bit disappointed that they didn’t make more gains,” said Lisa Keenan, political science assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin, though she added that given the campaign gaffes, Harris is also likely to be somewhat relieved. “We’ve seen a stabilization there.” From a commanding poll lead as late as September, Fine Gael appears to have slipped back into a three-party scramble to win the popular vote. It’s a key moment. Whoever forms the next government will enjoy a budget surplus and soaring tax receipts from US firms including Apple Inc. operating there. What to do with Ireland’s billions has been a key focus of the election, with parties competing on spending ideas — even as the re-election of Donald Trump in the US and his threat of trade tariffs injected a sense of caution. Worryingly for Harris, the exit poll also showed the premier trailing his two main rivals on the question of who should be next Taoiseach. Only 27% said they want the Fine Gael leader leading the country, while 35% said they would like Fianna Fail’s Martin, and 34% preferred Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. McDonald’s strength comes from her support among young people, and that gels with the exit poll showing housing and homelessness were the biggest issues for voters, followed by the cost of living. Data published on election day showed homelessness in Ireland reached a record figure of almost 15,000. Sinn Fein’s steady rise has shaken up Irish politics since McDonald took over from Gerry Adams as president in 2018, becoming its first leader unconnected to the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. Its left-leaning agenda appealed to voters struggling with a housing shortage and rising inflation. While its support is well below the start of the year, when Sinn Fein appeared on course to form a government, the exit poll and early counting shows McDonald has established Sinn Fein as an electoral force. That has major implications for Irish politics. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael led every government since the state was formed 100 years ago, and while that looks set to continue, Sinn Fein’s emergence changes the dynamic. Still, without the option of a coalition with Fine Gael or Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein has no clear route to power. That means the focus in the coming days and likely weeks will be on Fine Gael and Fianna Fail and the arrangement they come to. Early tallies suggest Fianna Fail will improve on its performance in 2020, when the party that was in power during the 2008 financial crash re-entered government for the first time in almost a decade. It’s possible that it wins several more seats than Fine Gael, which would give it considerable bargaining power in coalition talks and potentially restoring Martin, who served as prime minister for almost two years as part of the job share agreement between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael last time, as Taoiseach. Any deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail would not be the end of the story. Even combining their support, the two parties are likely to fall short of the 88 seats needed for a majority in the 174-seat parliament. The third coalition partner last time, the Green Party, face losses — not unusual for minor parties and also reflecting trends for green parties across Europe. Tallies suggest it could lose the majority of its 12 seats. But other smaller parties are expected to make gains. The Social Democrats, whose leader Holly Cairns gave birth on election day, could pick up seats. Labour are also optimistic. Though vote counting began at 9 a.m. on Saturday, a fuller picture is not expected until Sunday. Then the negotiations will begin. (Updates with Harris comment in fourth paragraph.)
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