Labour's woes continued in Kerry North where its candidate, Tralee-based councillor Terry O'Brien, failed to win back the seat lost by former party leader Dick Spring in 2002.
Five years ago, Labour managed to get just over 22 per cent of the vote in Kerry North, but its share was down to 11 per cent this time.
Fine Gael gained hugely at Labour's expense, with outgoing TD Jimmy Deenihan coming in way ahead of the field. Deenihan, who was first elected in 1987, polled 12,697 first preferences, 2,868 over the quota. He acknowledged that he picked up a big share of the old Spring personal and middle-class vote, especially in Tralee and surrounding areas.
"Dick Spring used to attract some of the Fine Gael-type vote in this constituency and I may have attracted it on this occasion," said the former All-Ireland winning Kerry footballer.
Another possible reason for Deenihan's impressive vote - the largest to date for Fine Gael in Kerry North and the first time the party's vote surpassed that of Fianna Fáil in the constituency - was the expectation that he would have secured a ministerial post in the event of Fine Gael forming a government.
There was no change in the three-seat constituency, with the other two outgoing TDs, Fianna Fáil's Tom McEllistrim and Martin Ferris of Sinn Féin being re-elected. Fianna Fáil held its share of the vote while Ferris's first preferences dropped from 9,496 in 2002 to 8,030.
There had been speculation that the second Fianna Fáil candidate, councillor Norma Foley, daughter of former TD Denis Foley, would challenge McEllistrim for his seat, but he secured his re-election with a good bit to spare.
Overall change: No change
Outgoing TDs
Tom McEllistrim FF
Jimmy Deenihan FG
Martin Ferris SF