THE ROSE OF Tralee returns in all its glory tonight for its two day stint at the forefront of the Irish TV culture – and it’s fair to say everyone is looking forward to it.
We’ll be live blogging every spectacular/cringe worthy moment from 8pm tonight, but to get you prepared, here’s an essential rundown of the bookies’ favourites to give you some idea on who to look out for in the Dome.
As Paddy Power told DailyEdge.ie last year, they base their odds on the Rose’s introductory notes on the website:
The blurb is the first indicator of the entrant’s personality, interests, achievements etc. So that’s what we use to make the initial odds.
Which means that it could all change on the night with a stellar reading or a show-stopping tin whistle performance.
Even still, going into tonight, the favourites from Paddy Power are:
=4. Dublin Rose – Aisling Finnegan 8/1
Joint fourth favourite for the title is the capital’s Aisling Finnegan. She’s keen to stress one point in her bio:
I hail from Rathcoole Co. Dublin, where I was born and raised. I’ve often been asked, “is Rathcoole not in Kildare?”, but I’m always quick to correct people and let them know I am a proud Dub!
Daithi, don’t get that wrong tonight. We’ll all be watching.
=4. Wicklow Rose – Megan Swart 8/1
The youngest Rose in the whole competition, Megan got her Leaving Cert results a couple of weeks back and probably got offered her CAO place this morning. She has received an All-Ireland medal and a host of other academic awards to boot.
Could she cap the week off by taking the crown? We’ll see.
3. Cork Rose – Aoife Murphy 5/1
The self-confessed science geek is the Rebel Rose this year, and works as a research nutritionist when not pagaenting. Standing as the third favourite going in, can she bring it home for Cork?
Last year’s winner Maria Walsh started out as third favourite, so the omens are good.
2. New York Rose – Sophie Colgan 9/2
The Manhattan-based PR worker is coming over here with plenty of expectation – sitting as she does in the second favourite spot.
1. Meath Rose – Elysha Brennan 3/1
The second year medical student in Dublin is this year’s favourite – and by a comfortable margin as well. Her bio on the Rose of Tralee website reveals some of her bucket list topics:
I made a bucket list two years ago and am slowly ticking things off, including visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York, Greek island hopping and now becoming the Meath rose.
Could winning it be on there as well? We’ll all find out tomorrow night.
#tension
