Imagine for a moment you were the kind of John Bull-ish Anglo United fan who wears St George’s Cross underpants to bed. It would certainly have been a gutting week for you.

Phil Coulter is one of Ireland’s most successful songwriters and producers, selling millions of records and going on to enjoy international solo success with his Tranquility albums.

All this plus, newcomer D.Cullen performs his new single for the first time on The Late Late Show.

Richard Bruton appeared to be wondering why on earth he should get involved in RTÉ’s survival, writes Alison O'Connor

In a world almost jaded by innovation, it is difficult to convey the awe, the shuddering excitement, the sense of possibility — and the victory for God-on-our-side capitalism, too —provoked by the first moon landing, 50 years ago today. It was, even on flickering, black-and-white televisions, simply jaw-dropping.

An increase of 10% on last year’s figure of €304,088.

The country will share Sarah McTernan’s disappointment following her failure to reach the final tonight of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel which, when we last checked, is not in Europe.

So that’s Thursday nearly wrapped up. Here’s some of the stories we published on irishexaminer.com today which we hope will help you make sense of it all this evening.

This year’s contest, which will be hosted by Israel, has proven controversial and has been overshadowed by months of protest and calls for a boycott.

Will you be tuning in?

On the radio, whenever I hear the jingle "RTÉ Supporting The Arts", that follows an ad for a concert or some cultural event, I can't help thinking that it should be changed.

2018: #ThisHappened on Twitter

The Rose of Tralee jamboree is a bit like the Eurovision Song Contest — derided by many as an outmoded, tiresome, irrelevant and laughable spectacle but it remains an entertaining annual TV extravaganza that few viewers would miss.

Calls for an Irish boycott of next year’s Eurovision being held in Israel have been dismissed by the Tánaiste.

“Martin and I will have great fun!”

But Israel imitated a chicken for their entry and nobody batted an eyelid.

We did it! Ryan O’Shaughnessy only went and did it!

Your morning headlines.

Ireland have qualified for the Eurovision final for the first time since 2013.

The season kicks off with Niall Horan joining the RTÉ Concert Orchestra on RTÉ One at 6.55pm on Saturday May 12.

The song debuted on RTÉ Radio One today, but in case you missed it, you can listen to it here in full.

With Ronnie Mitchell laid to rest, Samantha Womack has been reborn as Morticia Addams in The Addams Family, writes Ed Power.

Almost all EU countries are likely to bid to host the two major regulatory agencies that have to be relocated from London, setting up a potential squabble between the 27 remaining members that have so far shown a united front on Brexit.

Cliff Richard and X Factor judge Louis Walsh have offered support to the brother of singer Dana Rosemary Scallon as he threatens legal action against police and the media for their handling of sex abuse allegations.

AS we stand on the cusp of weeks 29 and 30 of 2017, it is sobering to realise that we are already nearly two thirds of the way through the year, but uplifting to know that the best is still to come, starting with this weekend.

Standard.

King Charles III on BBC Two at 8pm on Wednesday imagines the accession that could take place when the British queen dies.

Brendan Murray appears in semi-final 2 of The Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday, May 11, RTÉ2, 8pm.

As we know, Ireland has fallen on tough times when it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Ukrainian singer who pulled off a surprising victory at the Eurovision Song Contest said: “If you sing about truth, it can really touch people” after she defeated musical and political rival Russia.

As Nicky Byrne urges us to “Just touch who you wanna, Kiss who you gotta”, Billy O’Riordan looks back at the weird and wonderful lyrics of Eurovision from the past 61 years

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

I wonder if Bertie Ahern availed of the VIP lounge at Dublin Airport, as he jetted off to Sweden for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals is on Tuesday and Thursday night on RTÉ2 at 8pm. The final is on Saturday. 

Graham Norton will present the Baftas on Sunday, the Eurovision in May, and he has written a novel, all in addition to his weekly chatshow, writes Gemma Dunn

Anakana Schofield thought her dark tale about a sexual deviant would be a hard sell but she tells Colette Sheridan women understand it, and men are shocked by her acclaimed work.

“We strongly believe the Eurovision Song Contest has the potential to evolve organically into a truly global event. Australia’s continued participation is an exciting step in that direction.”

Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley may only be a hop, skip and a jump away from hanging up his dancing shoes forever, but his name will be remembered on Broadway for a long time to come after a US street was temporarily renamed in his honour this week.

Former paper shop could be headline buy, writes Tommy Barker.