Jubilant Jedward jump into final

IT was like 1990 and Dave O’Leary all over again as people all over the country huddled around their TV sets — this time with the hopes of a nation resting on a set of twins from Lucan.

And, of course, the phenomenon that is Jedward didn’t disappoint.

They blazed a trail through the semi-final and will now bring their unique style and verve to tomorrow’s final.

For their part, the twins said they were not nervous but excited about performing for a worldwide audience of millions.

Marty Whelan must have come a close second to them in the excitement stakes. You could almost feel it through the television screen. Whereas other Irish commentators like the great Terry Wogan and Graham Norton enjoy gently taking the mickey out of the event on the BBC, Marty is deadly serious on RTÉ.

This is his World Cup.

So when the act before Jedward, a Danish pop band with a similar haircut to the Lucan lads finished up, Marty issued a final call to arms for the Tricolour. “Call that high hair, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” he boomed.

And sure enough, we hadn’t. The twins may not been blessed with what Louis Walsh would call “raw talent” but they have a funny haircut and look the same. Sometimes that’s enough.

Looking like two garden gnomes, the twins went out and did their thing with a level of enthusiasm that even the most cynical would find hard not to admire. Infectious seems too small a word.

It wasn’t a flawless performance but the crowd, and Marty, didn’t seem to care. The twins received the reception of the night, complete with screaming and furious flag waving.

Marty called the performance “phenomenal” before adding: ‘Ich bin ein Jedhead’. Europe agreed and the lads went through.

So popular were Jedward that Ierland (Dutch for Ireland) was trending worldwide on Twitter. For once the nation is making headlines for a reason other than the economy. It’s long overdue and we have Jedward to thank for that.

Paddy Power has now installed Jedward at 5/2 second favourites to win the contest this Saturday.

Ireland loves them. Now Europe loves them. You’d be a fool to bet against them.