Miss Louth Fionnuala one of the favourites for Miss Ireland title

Miss Louth 2014 Fionnuala Short

Lisa Casey

Miss Clare Kate McGlennon

The Miss Ireland grand final takes place this Saturday in the Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin with Miss Louth Fionnuala Short one of the favourites to land the coveted title according to local bookmakers Boylesports.

The Hackballscross girl is the 5/1 fourth favourite to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Holly Carpenter, Sarah Morrissey, Andrea Roche, Pamela Flood, Amanda Brunker and Rosanna Davison, who went on to win the Miss World title in 2003, when the winner is announced on Saturday.

The joint favourites for the prize are Miss Show Dublin Andrea Rooney and Miss Carlow Fiona Foley (both 7/2) with Miss Dress Bar Rebecca O’Donovan the third favourite (4/1).

Meanwhile, the other Dundalk girl set to take part in the competition, Lisa Casey from Ard Easmuinn, is ranked as a 33/1 outsider. She will be representing Armagh in the competition having finished runner-up in the Miss Louth contest recently.

Miss Clare Kate McGlennon – a midwifery student in Dundalk IT – is also in the running at 14/1.

Dundalk woman Fionnuala named new Miss Louth

New Miss Louth 2014 Fionnuala Short

Dundalk woman Fionnuala Short was celebrating at the weekend after being named the new Miss Louth 2014 at The Fairways Hotel.

The beauty consultant succeeds Kerri Cahill in the position and now advances to the Miss Ireland finals in July.

Former Miss Ireland winners include Holly Carpenter, Sarah Morrissey, Andrea Roche, Pamela Flood, Amanda Brunker and Rosanna Davison, who went on to win the Miss World title in 2003.

For the first time ever, Miss Louth runner-up Lisa Casey – also from Dundalk – will also have a chance of making the finals. This year the Miss Ireland organisers have decided to run a semi-final allowing the runners-up to gain a place in the finals leaving Dundalk with two representatives for the Miss Ireland crown.

Miss Louth runner-up Lisa Casey