Leitir Meailláin’s Jennifer Connolly, who performs under the name CONNOLLY, has been named by BoyleSports as the leading favourite to represent the country in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest hosted in Liverpool.
With CONNOLLY’s chances skyrocketing into 11/8 from 2/1 this week, BoyleSports say she faces hot competition in the finale from Donegal musician, ADGY, who has gone from 5/2 to 7/4.
The Galway native will be performing ‘Midnight Summer Night’, a track she wrote when she was just 17 years old, on this week’s Late Late Show juries will combine with public vote to determine who will represent Ireland this year. Despite a 27-year run without a Eurovision victory, Ireland still sits at the top having won the competition seven times since its creation in 1956.
The tight race also includes Dublin-based Leila Jane (5/1 ), four-piece band Wild Youth (8/1 ) and Longford rap duo K Muni & ND are the outsiders of the six hopefuls sitting at 16/1.
The second Galway connection, though looser, is with former Sex Pistols frontman, John Lydon, who now fronts Public Image Limited which are currently at 8/1 odds. With a father from Tuam and a mother from Cork, this will be Lydon’s first attempt to represent the country in the Eurovision and performs an ode to his wife Nora, who is battling Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ireland, which already boasts a record seven Eurovision titles, is currently rated 20/1 to win again on May 13, when the 67th edition makes its way to Merseyside having been relocated from Ukraine.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said, “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 27 years since Ireland won a Eurovision when it once looked like we couldn’t put a foot wrong. At the minute, it’s too close to call who will get the nod on The Late Late Show this Friday so may the best act win!”
