The only real surprise in South Belfast was the dramatically improved performance of the Alliance party’s Anna Lo, who topped the poll with 6390 votes, almost 20 per cent of the vote.
Aside from that, the picture in South Belfast remains essentially unchanged.
Rumours that the UUP's Michael McGimpsey would lose his seat proved unfounded, although the outgoing health minister admitted that the party would look at “the lessons that need to be learned in South Belfast”.
Clare Bailey of the Green Party polled credibly, and her transfers may have been decisive in returning the final three candidates - Sinn Féin’s Alex Maskey, Conall McDevitt of the SDLP, and the DUP’s Jimmy Spratt - at the expense of Ruth Patterson of the DUP.
Mr Maskey, Mr McDevitt - who was said to be “sweating on it” as the final count took place - and Mr Spratt were all elected without reaching the quota.