Ireland

After much speculation, today, the twins broke their silence and confirmed their return to represent Ireland for a second year at Eurovision.
Louis Walsh has apparently amassed a collection of songs and the twins are currently choosing their favorites.
If the team behind Jedward can pull off the same tricks they did in Dusseldorf, the twins could mean business in Baku. I doubt they could win, as it would require conclusive jury support, but they could certainly improve upon last year.
Ireland are available at 34.0 to win and 1.64 to qualify @ PaddyPower.

That time of year again. Irish euro songs released today. Final on the 24th feb.

Song 1 Mistaken, Celtic Whisper with Maria McCool.
An old style irish type song.Awful and boring coming last of the 5 i would think.

Song 2 Mercy, Donna McCaul.
Most upbeat song of the 5 and the best in my opinion should win but probably won't.

Song 3 Here i am, Andrew mann.
Supposed to be a rock song soft rock if anything. Not a song that stands out .
don't hate it but can't say i want to hear it again either.

Song 4 The language of love, Una Gibney and David Shannon.
Dont know what to make of it. Aaahhhh aaahhh aaahhh. still dont know.

Song 5 Waterline, Jedward.
Not as upbeat as i thought it would be .thinks its worse than last years.
and they actually have to sing this time so there fucked if it gets to eurovision.
Will win which is a pity.

RTE want jedward to win no accident that there the last act on.

Jedward to win and mercy 2nd.

if it was up to me mercy to win .

Welcome Dec And thanks for getting this info down last night - I was too busy yesterday.

Anyway, here's the only two songs we'll need:


That's a fair point about Jedward - there's far more singing in this song, rather than chanting. No doubt they'll be exposed on the Eurovision stage. No way they can hide behind backing singers with that song, surely?

Well no surprise jedward win. If i had a gun when watching the final i would shoot myself. It was awful. Thats what i get for staying sober. Their singing wasn't as bad as I was expecting, still not going to win Eurovision mind. This will probably qualify seeing as they have the easier semi. Song was matched @7/1 on betfair i assume the people that backed it were very drunk or on drugs.

There's no difference between this and one of Andorra's last entries before giving up...other than Jedward. Last year's song had more of an unknown quantity about it - this one should liven up the market but it's a lay all day at current prices.

Here's the performance anyway, slightly belated! I'm under pressure

They're losing their innocent youthful looks ever so gradually - why is that relevant? It makes them look like scary weird freaks, rather than playful kids. At what point in life do they grow out of this?

That's weird you mention that Gaviddler as that's exactly what I thought. They're turning into Macaulay Culkin. Really creepy looking.

This song is so bad it simply cannot cover how awful they are at singing as Lipstick managed last year. As I've said multiple times now, this is like a Peter Waterman B side. Maybe not even as good as that.

They're losing their innocent youthful looks..sorry it happens to us all..what a surprise that the strain is beginning to show after all that hard work over the past couple of years,but then you don't amass a £3.5 million fortune prostrate on the settee. As for the entry,I didn't expect much else,the song is typical Eurovision dressed in Greece 2002 costumes,they can't sing,but then we knew that from the X-Factor 2009,maybe their voices can be digitally enhanced..they remain bullied Dublin schoolboys at heart,yet there is still something charismatic about them, so lay off..

That final minute is painfully bad. People think the singing is better than last year.... it's woeful. I would hand back my passport if I were Irish.

Showbiz is a cruel mistress, Steve. The hair and outfits and odd ways are losing their charm a bit and as Gavin pointed out, becoming slightly, "scary weird". They don't really have a lot of talent to fall back on. At least musically.

I did back them last year and enjoyed their genuine rather than forced eccentricity but I'm not sure they have enough this time round. I think the song is horrible mainly.

They look like they're having a good time this year,been there,done that,after last year. They are more performers than singers,as their acrobatics attest,and with Frank Carson gone maybe they can fill another gap in the market and become an all-round act. Speaking of last year,I never went for Ireland,even when the bookies moved in on them,though I did eventually go with the flow on Estonia,even when I didn't get it..a lesson there perhaps for this year..

I'm sorry, did you just compare Jedward to Frank "it's the way I tell 'em" Carson?

That's the best thing I've heard from you Steve. Priceless. You should tweet that. Viral I tells ya!

This is bad. Very, very bad. Probably will qualify though, but no way top10 material. Weak imo :/ I dont get the 15,5 odds right now, need to lay I guess (Although I usually try not to bet before all songs are decided. And also, early bets have not worked for me the last few years :( )

Sweden,Serbia Norway..it's looking like a three horse race already. Ireland's entry is not so bad once you've listened to the others..

Now you only have to remember the last few years know that's bullshit Steve. I don't remember the bookies ever guessing the top-3, as there's always a little gem that sneaks in.

2011 - Italy
2010 - Romania
2009 - Iceland

need I go on?

Well Italy was an exception,as they had been absent for so many years,and they tightened up on his discordant vocal for the final I recall. Iceland 2009 was no shock at all and if you read my prediction on the daily punt I guessed first and second that year. It's true that the contest remains unpredictable,but you can certainly rule out three quarters of the entries to win before you start,and the reinstatement of the juries a couple of years ago has made it easier to forecast the group from which the winner is likely to come.

Romania 2010 was one of my best Eurovision bets ever I had em big for top10, and big'ish for top4 Damn I miss Paula and her leather pants. Why is Serbia one of the frontrunners right now? I know it's Zeljko and all, but we havent heard the song yet, have we now? I mean, it's not a given that he will have a masterpiece. I also dont understand the Sweden hype. They havent even chosen a song yet (granted it looks like Loreen). But if somehow Loreen does not win, and Danny goes to Baku I dont see them doing well. Loreen might have a chance though..

To say it's already between only Sweden, Serbia and Norway is very presumptuous. Two are from the same voting bloc and virtully the same genre. The other, Serbia, we haven't even heard the song yet. Don't forget Russia too.

Since the juries were reintroduced, there hasn't been more than one 'dance' song in the top 10. Most dance songs have either failed to qualify or languished among the bottom 10 acts.

It's early March and it's far too early to make sweeping statements of that detail. Sweden is justified, but even then, if they get drawn early for the final, it becomes an uphill task for them.