Siblings’ love wins ticket to Eurovision semi-final

SINGING siblings Donna and Joseph McCaul were star-struck last night as they set their sights on Eurovision 2005.

But the Midland duet will first have to slum it out in a qualifying semi-final process after Ireland’s dismal performance last year.

The bespectacled Athlone college student Joseph and sister Donna emotionally hugged each other after getting the nation’s thumbs up as winners of You’re a Star. They ousted runners-up Jade, a gutsy girls’ rock band from Wexford.

The McCauls performed a catchy number Love, written by Limerick man Karl Broderick.

It was a tense wait for the announcement after a highly charged finale at the Helix at DCU last night, but the pair is guaranteed a massive welcome on their return to their hometown.

“Everyone is delighted for them. I travelled up on a bus with a group of supporters to attend the final, and we are just so proud of Donna and Joe,” said local mayor Austin Berry.

“The excitement around Athlone was unbelievable over the last few weeks.

“The McCauls are a well-known and popular family, and they have been great ambassadors for Athlone. They will have a strong Athlone support when they go to Kiev.”

Tom Blaine, principal of Joe’s school Marist College, Athlone, paid tribute to the duet. “Joe and Donna are a very talented pair and I know they will have a bright future in the music industry. Now we’re hoping they can win the Eurovision for Ireland,” he said.