Kerry Rose could cost bookies €50,000 if she wins

COLLEEN SHANNON of Kerry is the bookie’s favourite to win the Rose of Tralee contest.

And bookmaker Paddy Power says it could lose up to €50,000 if Colleen wins.

The 21-year-old student started at odds of 16-1 but was down to 4-1 yesterday after a flurry of bets.

The 30 contestants were greeted like royalty by friends, family and well-wishers as they arrived in the Kerry town for five frantic days of festivities.

Coming from all four corners of the globe, each Rose brought her own army of fans to cheer her on in the race for the prestigious crown.

Coleen is the bookies’ favourite — thanks to a bit of help from the Kerry GAA football team and TV3’s Celebrity Love Island reality show.

Paddy Power said: “The Kerry Rose is always a popular bet but betting on Colleen has really taken off — people are having a double on her and the Kerry football team to win against Cork.

“Colleen also seems to have had a lot more newspaper coverage than the other Roses, too, and she also shares the same name as one of the contestants on Love Island.

“But if our Colleen wins then we stand to lose €25,000 and if betting really kicks off over the weekend then we will have to pay out €50,000.”

Second favourite is Westmeath Rose Edel O’Connor at 8-1, while Clare Rose Theresa Roseingrave is third favourite at 12-1.

But yesterday she insisted the field was wide open.

“I bet half the money that’s been placed on me has been put on by friends and family in Kerry. Kerry always backs their own but every girl has every chance of winning.”

As of yesterday, Paddy Power had taken about €5,000 on Colleen, €2,500 on Edel and some €2,000 on Theresa.

Paddy Power said: “Edel’s got widespread support beyond Westmeath and into Dublin, Cork and Wexford. Punters are maybe betting with their heads rather than their hearts on Edel.”

Edel, a 25-year-old college lecturer, insists that whatever the outcome the 30 girls will remain great friends. She said: “They’re a brilliant bunch of girls and I’m proud to be part of it.”

And last night, Theresa was said all the girls were keeping their heads.

The 24-year-old marketing manager said: “We were overwhelmed by our reception and we were fighting back the tears — we used to be the little girls watching it on television. But we are just normal people.”