General Election 2020: Odds slashed on Mary Lou McDonald becoming next Taoiseach after Sinn Fein surge

Bookies have slashed the odds of Mary Lou McDonald becoming Taoiseach after a Sinn Fein surge in Saturday's election.

The Sinn Fein leader is down to 6/1 from her odds of 11/1 yesterday morning.

Favourite Micheal Martin has drifted from 1/14 to 1/4, after Fianna Fail had an unconvincing result last night.

Odds have also shortened on Leo Varadkar returning as Taoiseach, with BoyleSports offering 5/1.

Leo Varadkar, Mary Lou McDonald and Micheal Martin (Stock images)

Meanwhile a Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein coalition is currently the 3/1 favourite, ahead of a Fianna Fail and Fine Gael partnership at 4/1.

The third most likely option is currently a Fianna Fail coalition with Independents, Labour and the Green Party at 8/1.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “We were expecting uncertainty and we were none the wiser after the exit polls indicated that three parties were so evenly matched in first preference votes.

Sinn Fein's Paul Donnelly at Phibblestown Count Centre in Dublin this morning. (Stephen Colllins/Collins Photos)

"A Fianna Fáil/Sinn Féin coalition is marginally still the most popular bet for the make-up of the government, but the only thing we can really say for sure is that punters are split as to what will happen next.”

Taoiseach After General Election

1/4         Micheál Martin (FF)

5/1         Leo Varadkar (FG)

6/1         Mary Lou McDonald (SF)

Opening scenes of count at Phibblestown Count Centre in Dublin this morning. (Stephen Colllins/Collins Photos)

Sinn Fein supporters singing Come Out, Ye Black and Tans in RDS count centre

Government After Election

3/1         FF/SF

4/1         FF/FG

8/1         FF/Lab/Green/Ind

10/1       FF/Ind/Green

10/1       FF/SF/Ind

10/1       FF Minority

12/1       FG/SF

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald arrives at Dublin count centre