The Eurosong finalists have been announced – Â but Mary Byrne, Jedward and new girl band Liir are not in the line up.
The Lucan duo had been tipped to make a return this year, while X Factor star Mary Byrne had already recorded a track for the contest.
And girlband Liir were also left off the list. Singers Leanne Moore, Michele McGrath and Kim Hayden had formed to enter the competition, but will not be on the show.
No sign of Liir: Ireland’s new girlband have been left off the Eurosong list
Instead Nikki Kavanagh has returned to the Eurosong competition. In 2010 she was part of the Irish Eurovision team headed by Niamh Kavanagh and in 2011 she missed out to Jedward to represent Ireland.
Nikki’s song ‘Memories’ is written by Lee Anna James, Elena Morosanu, Simon Gribbe, Johnny Sanchez and Dimitri Stassos.
‘I’m a huge Eurovision fan; I’ve been there before and would love more than anything to go back as lead vocalist representing our country,” Nikki said.
Back for more: Nikki is returning to the Eurosong stage | VIPIRELAND.COM
Also hoping for Eurovision glory is Longford native Kat Mohan. Formerly a singer in the band Lilac Blues which appeared in RTE’s All Ireland Talent Show, the 28-year-old is singing Anybody Got A Shoulder.
Meanwhile Zambian-born artist Alex Saint, lives in Belfast is a rapper who has been performing in a string of R&B clubs.
His track She’s So Fine, is written by Tony Adams-Rosa who has been a Eurosong finalist many times.
No more: Jedward definitely aren’t competing
Other finalists include 23-year-old Erika Selin will be performing an up-tempo tune called Break Me Up.
And last but not least 16-year-old Tipperary singer Molly Sterling will be hoping to beat the rest.
The self-taught musician has teamed up with well-known songwriter Greg French and will perform Playing With Numbers.
Young contender: Molly is only 16
All of the acts will perform live on the Late Late Show on February 27th, with the Irish public getting to vote for their favourite act.
