Drogheda Independent

KATIE AND AOIFE, FINN AND SAOIRSE HELP LIGHT UP THE 2018 COMPETITIO­N

- BY HUBERT MURPHY

THE 2018 Secondary School Stars kicked off in explosive fashion on Sumday with dozens of top acts battling it out for a place in the semi finals.

‘ The standard was immense,’ Patrick Leddy remarked, with plenty of competitio­n bidding to impress star judge for finals night, Louis Walsh.

And had he been there on Sunday, he’d have seen plenty of locals with the X Factor.

Up there with the best were the stunning twins, Katie and Aoife Lynch from Sacred Heart who sang and played bodhran and guitar.

The accomplish­ed Finn Fitzgerald from St Mary’s, pianist Leander Goetz from the Joes, Tadgh Lynch from the Grammar and Katie Power from Colaiste Na hInse also impressed.

But then Ashley Abadeen from Greenhills blew everyone away with Laura and Abbey Rice and Naoise Duffy excellent too.

And still the shining stars turned out, 15 year old Saoirse Hayden delivering a perfect ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Scoil Ui Mhuiri too had their gems, Ailish Carroll performing ‘Burning House’ with great emotion.

Then the Tribe hit the stage, a Scoil Ui Mhuiri band that hit every note and are real hopes for the future.

A lady with great energy was 12 year old Abo Obhakhan and what about Coinneach Farrell from St Joseph’s, a superb rendition of Brother.

The event ran into the afternoon as more and more acts rose to the occasion in a bid to book a spot in the next stage.

The auditions for the primary schools take place this Sunday and huge numbers are again expected to take part.

Guest judges are former winner Saoirse Kavanagh and the rising star of the operatic scene Amie Dyer.

 ??  ?? Rachel Akanu auditionin­g
Rachel Akanu auditionin­g
 ??  ?? The judges Saoirse Kavanagh, Aime Dyer and Derek Eakins at Sunday’s audition.
The judges Saoirse Kavanagh, Aime Dyer and Derek Eakins at Sunday’s audition.
 ??  ?? The Girls from Elite Dance Crew.
The Girls from Elite Dance Crew.
 ??  ?? Adam Mooney auditionin­g
Adam Mooney auditionin­g
 ??  ?? Alex Gormley
Alex Gormley

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