The final two acts have qualified for the semi-final from heat 4 of Junior Eurovision Éire 2019.
The participants all performed Irish covers of well known English-language songs. Each participant was scored out of 30, with the highest scorer advancing to the semi-final. The jury then chose two other participants to compete in a sing-off, with the winner advancing to the semi-final. The next two highest scorers advance to a sing-off, with the winner moving on to the semi-final.
The results were be decided by an in-studio jury. Gráinne Bleasdale will return to the jury for the second year. Replacing Fiachna Ó Braonáin, who had previously been on the jury since 2016, was RTÉ 2fm presenter Chris Greene. Gráinne and Chris will be joined by a guest judge each week, all of whom have previously represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest. This week’s guest judge was Charlie McGettigan, who won the Eurovision Song Contest 1994 alongside Paul Harrington. Mícheál Ó Ciarraidh was also backstage to interview the contestants.
The results of the show were as follows:
- Skye Murphy Darrer – “Chandelier” – 27 stars – Sing-Off
- Molly Verdier-Cassidy – “The Cup Song” – 23 stars
- Orla Mc Dermott – “Linger” – 30 stars – Semi-Final
- Fionn and Roisin Vigors – “Teenage Dirtbag” – 21 stars
- Rachel Hoey – “We Couldn’t Fake It” – 20 stars
- Rebecca Cronin – “Perfect” – 25 stars – Sing-Off
- Sophie Bao Garrahy – “I Won’t Worry” – 23 stars
Skye Murphy Darrer and Rebecca Cronin faced each other in the sing-off. Skye Murphy Darrer was chosen by the judges to advance to the semi-final. Charlie voted for Rebecca while Gráinne and Chris voted for Skye.
The complete line-up for next week’s semi-final is:
- Anna Kearney
- Arabella Dolan
- Alison McGrath
- Caoimhe McBride
- Savannah Phoenix-Munroe
- Seisear Séiseach
- Orla Mc Dermott
- Skye Murphy Darrer
In the semi-final, the judges will pick two acts to move directly to the final and two more to enter the sing-off. The winner of the sing-off will advance to the final. The winner of the final have a song composed for them after they win, in contrast to previous years, where all participants had to compete with original songs.
Ireland was represented by Taylor Hynes at Junior Eurovision 2018 in Minsk, Belarus. He performed the song “IOU” and went on to finish 15th with a total of 48 points. Ireland was 16th with juries scoring 12 points and 15th with the online vote receiving 36 points.
