Red Army urged to back Maeve’s bid for stardom

AS she prepared for the latest round of RTÉ’s You’re A Star programme next Sunday, teenage singing sensation Maeve O’Donovan yesterday spoke of her first, and saddest, public performance.

Maeve, aged 16, said: “My granddad’s funeral took place in Blackrock church in Cork last March and I was asked to sing at the funeral Mass.

“It was the first time I sang before a large number of people in public and a very poignant occasion to sing before the congregation. I was unaccompanied. Obviously, as well as being a very sad time, I was very nervous.”

Maeve’s mum Cathy said: “Our family asked Maeve to sing at dad’s funeral Mass and she went up to the altar and sang beautifully. She was only 15 and sang ‘Angel’. Her grand dad would have been very proud of her.”

Maeve’s father, Niall O’Donovan, is a well known figure in Irish rugby and is the forwards rugby coach with the international side.

Not surprisingly, Maeve and her older sister Laura, aged 19, are serious rugby fans. Maeve said: “As the only Munster contestant left, I hope the Red Army will now come in behind me on Sunday night.”

Being wrapped up on duty with the international side, Niall has missed the last two TV shows.

“We keep in touch with text messages ” said Maeve, “and he rang me on the mobile last Sunday night to say well done.”

Maeve, who is a fifth year student at Laurel Hill, attends singing classes at the Music Tutorial Centre. Even there, the talk is about rugby as her tutor Olive is wife of former rugby international Brian O’Brien.

You’re A Star viewers can vote next Sunday night between 7.30pm and 8.30pm to decide who goes forward to the next round.

*Votes for Maeve can be sent by text to 53600 or by phone to 1513717111.