After a mammoth five-day count that came down to a nail-biting finish, it was not to be for Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew as she was placed sixth in the running for the five candidates successfully elected for the Midlands-North-West constituency in the European Parliament Elections. 

The outgoing MP for Fermanagh South Tyrone, Ms. Gildernew came some 5,500 votes shy of being elected.

There were hopes of a comeback as she had at one point conceded the race, but a day later it was game-on again when there was a suggestion that tallies could put her back in the race.

However, Independent candidate Ciarán Mullooly, a former RTÉ news reporter, took the fifth and final seat.

This means that Ms. Gildernew, a longstanding politician in this area, now holds no major elected position, after serving as an MLA or MP for about a quarter of a century.

In a double blow for Sinn Féin in Midlands-North West, which runs along the Border, its outgoing MEP Chris McManus failed to retain his seat in the constituency.

In a social media post, Ms. Gildernew said: "After 21 counts, I’ve narrowly missed out on becoming [a] MEP."

Referencing those now famous long counts for Fermanagh South Tyrone, she said: "Not like me to keep you all waiting!

"Grma [go raibh maith agat] to the 81,639 people who voted and transferred to me.

"As my sister Gael said, that’s the full of Croke Park, and not to be sneezed at!"

Despite not contesting the upcoming general election for Sinn Féin, Ms. Gildernew will still be present on the campaign trail, and concluded her social media post with: "Now to get back on the canvass in FST!"