Battle to hit high note in Europe

OUR Eurovision success is little more than a distant dream, but the five acts seeking a place in this year’s competition will be trying hard to return us to our former song contest glory.

Eurovision hopefuls Don Mescall, Jedward, the Vard Sisters, ‘Bling’, and Nikki Kavanagh will compete to represent Ireland at this year’s contest in a special edition of The Late Late Show this Friday on RTÉ One.

Limerick-born songwriter Don Mescall is hoping his song Talking with Jennifer — which he co-wrote with Ronan Hardiman — can give Ireland its first win since 1996, when the title was lifted by Eimear Quinn.

Quinn is backing the song, along with Shay Healy and Paul Harrington, who also both tasted Eurovision success.

Mr Mescall describes Talking with Jennifer as a “feel-good pop-rock song”.

“I felt when we wrote this we just captured a moment — it just flowed,” he said.

“I am really looking forward to performing it, because I spend so much time writing for other artists, and the song is an absolute pleasure to perform.”

Ronan Hardiman — best known for composing the score for shows, such as Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance — said they decided not to second-guess what would win the Eurovision when they were writing the song and, instead, concentrated on writing a song with a life of its own outside of the competition.

“Sometimes, songs come along and you know in your heart and soul that it is a really good one, and this is one of those,” said Mr Hardiman.

“The song is totally different from last year’s entry and Don has a really unique voice, too, so it should be a great performance.”

Mr Mescall expects pop duo Jedward — who will be aiming for Eurovision glory with their song Lipstick — to also do well in Friday’s competition.

“Jedward have top-class songwriters, so I am under no illusion that their song will be good. At the end of the day, it is a lottery: Even if Jedward wipe the slate with votes, I feel I have a very strong song and that it will be a hit after Friday regardless of what happens.”

The winner of Friday’s Eurosong final will be determined by a combination of votes from the public and regional juries.

The winner will go through to the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany in May.