Waters 'gutted' over Eurovision flop

The composer of Ireland’s worst-ever Eurovision entry today said he was “gutted” by the result.

The song ’They can’t stop the spring’ by Dervish came last of the 24 countries with only five points supplied by Albania.

Serbian singer, Marija Serifovic won the 52nd annual event, which was staged in the Hartswall Arena in Helsinki, Finland.

Ireland has previously won the contest seven times including a three-in-a-row between 1994-1996.

The winning song, Molitva, scored 268 points and had been second-favourite to win.

The Irish song was written by Tommy Moran and Irish Times journalist John Waters.

Mr Waters said today: “It was pretty dismal. We were disappointed. We had put a lot into it. We felt the song was good. The band did their absolute best.”

He added: “We were very disappointed. We were crushed. I was absolutely – in football manager speak – I’m gutted.”

Mr Waters said there had been 50 years of pop music in western Europe but it was only in its infancy in eastern bloc countries where it had enthusiastic support.

He also dismissed claims that countries were ’bloc-voting’ for each other.

He joked about the solitary vote from Albania: “I’m going on my holidays to Albania. They sound like very sophisticated people.”

Congratulating Serbia, Mr Waters said he believed the Eurovision was very impressive as a TV production spectacle.

Last year “Every song is a cry for love” by Brian Kennedy came ninth in the semi-final and 10th in the final, ensuring direct qualification for 2007.