D’Arcy hedges bets on sweetest Rose

ROSE of Tralee compére Ray D’Arcy believes judges at this year’s contest face an impossible task in picking a winner tomorrow.

Over the weekend each of the 30 Roses met D’Arcy and the five-strong judging panel in a bid to show why they should be the 2006 Rose of Tralee.

Kerry Rose Colleen Shannon remains the punter’s favourite at 7-2, Westmeath’s Edel O’Connor is at 8-1, while the Belfast, Clare and Irish language Roses are at 12-1.

But yesterday D’Arcy said: “There is no obvious winner — there are probably 15 of them who could easily be the Rose of Tralee.

“There are some real sweet girls this year and there are high standards that stretch across most of the Roses.”

It’s an opinion shared by the 30 escorts, who will be making sure the Roses are at their best for tonight and tomorrow night’s live International Rose Selection finals.

Philip Kehoe, who is escorting Cork Rose Trish Cotter, said: “I’d say three- quarters of them are capable of being Rose of Tralee.

“The contest is all about elegant ladies — and Ireland is certainly not short of them.”

D’Arcy met the Roses over the weekend so they will be at ease when the television cameras record their every movement for the finals on RTÉ.

He knows his job is to make the Roses blossom on stage so the judges — as well as the anticipated one million television audience — can see the contestants at their best.

In his second year as host, D’Arcy knows what the festival means to towns and villages across the country and to Irish communities as far away as Boston and New Zealand.

“Part of the reason the Rose of Tralee is on the up is because it is so simple and every county has an interest in it.

“People can look down their nose at it but if you go to small towns like Greysteel in Derry or Barefield in Clare you would not believe the pride people have in it.

“One of the Rose’s brothers is just nine and he’s king of the castle with his mates because his sister is here,” D’Arcy said.

Over the weekend the Roses brought glamour and style to rain-sodden grey Tralee as they were mobbed by star-struck youngsters and parents.

Pulling large crowds wherever they went, they were besieged by endless requests for autographs, pictures and babies to be kissed.

“Everyone makes you feel so important. They make you feel just like a princess,” said 26-year-old teacher Trish Cotter, who is carrying the hopes of Cork.