Mickey Joe aiming for Eurovision victory

MICKEY JOE HARTE is not out to party, he’s out to win!

That was his parting message when he and his entourage flew out to Riga in Latvia last night to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The 29-year-old from Lifford, Co Donegal, also plans to meet up with his band in the Latvian capital for a special showcase performance on Wednesday night.

He said the run-up to Saturday night’s contest provided a fantastic opportunity to show all the people in the music business that he was no flash in the pan.

He also admitted that it mattered a lot that his entry We’ve Got the World, penned by Keith Molloy and Mark Brannigan, won the contest.

“I want to win,” he said simply. “I want to go out there and bring it home.”

He recalled someone telling him it was unlikely that he would ever win RTÉ’s You’re a Star and, if he did, it probably would not be the best scenario for him - but 1.3 million people who sent messages of support by phone and text thought otherwise.

Now he could see the finish line and he wanted to make the winning moment in Riga his. “I have always done my best to try and win, to try and be successful and this will be no different,” insisted.

Since winning You’re a Start, Mickey decided to drop ‘Joe’ from his name just in case people outside of Ireland might think he was an aging country and western singer.

He also signed a deal with Sony and immediately began recording an album. His Eurovision entry, We’ve Got the World, has been at No 1 in the top 40 hits for three weeks now.

Sadly, Mickey’s father, Jimbo, who was seriously ill during Your’re a Star, died soon after the competition.

“If his death had been sudden I don’t know if I could pick up the pieces and get on with it,” said Mickey. “But I knew I was going to have to deal with it soon. I was glad he was able to see You’re a Star and take it all in. He threw his arms up in the air when I won!”

Travelling with Mickey to Riga yesterday were his three Eurovision backing singers, who call themselves Sweet Charity, and who also made it to the finals of You’re a Star.

All the singers are from different parts of Ireland - Sarah Brophy is from Cork; Catriona McGinty is from Tyrone and Susan McGowan is from Meath.

Mickey and the girls will face some tough competition despite being made 6-1 favourite by Irish bookies Paddy Power.

Out in front at 5-1e is Tatu, the Russian pop duo, who are promising a sexy act when they blast out their song Ne Ver, ne Bojsia, which means Do not be Afraid, Do not Despair.