Eurovision surprise on song choice
A FORMER Voice Of Ireland contestant has been chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision.
In a surprise choice, Sarah McTernan, from Co. Clare, will perform the country’s entry in Tel Aviv in May.
Eurovision insiders were shocked by the decision, having been told former X Factor contestant Janet Devlin would represent the country in Israel, as the Irish Daily Mail reported.
Instead RTÉ bosses opted for McTernan who came in third place in the fourth series of The Voice of Ireland in 2015.
The song she will be performing is called 22 and was specially selected by an RTÉ panel from the Dutch song writing team of Janieck, Marcia ‘Misha’ Sondeijker and Roulsen.
Speaking about being selected, Sarah said, ‘It’s like an early birthday present!
‘My 25th birthday is next Monday and if you’d told me last year that I’d be chosen to represent my country at Eurovision, performing the song for the first time on Dancing With The Stars, and then flying to Tel Aviv on my birthday to record a postcard, I would have said you were crazy!’
Irish Head of Delegation Michael Kealy said: ‘Sarah has an amazing voice which stood out the minute I heard it and she fits perfectly with our chosen song, 22.
‘I think the Eurovision audience will love her, now it’s full steam ahead preparing for her performance in Tel Aviv in May.’
The song will receive its first airplay this morning on The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
Sarah will perform the song for the first time on RTÉ One’s hit dance show Dancing With The Stars on Sunday night as part of a special Eurovision-themed programme, which will also feature a performance from Eurovision legend Johnny Logan.
More than 430 songs were submitted to RTÉ for consideration before the November deadline.
Several panels comprising music experts, journalists, Eurovision fans and students from BIMM shortlisted the entries received and selected 22.
The Eurovision semi-finals take place in Tel Aviv on May 14 and May 16 with the grand final taking place on Saturday May 18.
Originally from Co. Clare, Sarah came in third place in the fourth series of The Voice Of Ireland in April 2015.