Jenny’s odds for Rose of Tralee continue to tumble

Jenny Hanlon after being named the new Louth Rose

With the Rose Of Tralee just a couple of weeks away, things are heating up in the betting with one Rose catching the eye of punters.

Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon was initially installed as a 50/1 outsider for the crown but has fast became one to watch as punters gather behind her to show their support.

Jenny, who is studying business in Maynooth, could be the biggest dark horse in the race for the crown most recently being backed into 10/1 from 14/1 and posing the biggest liability for local bookmakers BoyleSports. It will not be smooth sailing however with a number of Roses ahead of the Cooley lass in the betting.

Dublin Rose, Aisling Finnegan, and Abu Dhabi Rose, Deirdre Ward, are head-to-head at the top of the betting as joint 7/2 favourites. Next in line are New York Rose Sophie Colgan and Dubai Rose Marie Ryan. German Rose Roisin Ni Mhathuna and Cork Rose Aoife Murphy also stand in Jenny’s way at 11/2 and 8/1 respectively.

Meanwhile, Sydney Rose Ciara Rafferty – who has family from Greenore – stands at 33/1.

Aoife Heffron, PR Executive at BoyleSports, said: “Louth have never won the Rose of Tralee but it looks like it could all change this year with Jenny Hanlon emerging as the pick with punters.”

She added: “Having gone from 50/1 to 10/1 already and with a couple of weeks to go until the competition gets underway, we expect she will continue to shorten. Jenny is the biggest loser in the book with BoyleSports looking at a large six figure hit should she go on and win it for the Wee County.”

Boylesports offering a free bet to anyone who flew home to vote

Dundalk-based bookmakers Boylesports are offering a free €5 bet to anyone who flew home to vote in the marriage equality referendum.

All you have to do to claim the free bet is call into any Boylesports shop, display and hand in your boarding card and make your selection.

Boylesports’ PR executive Aoife Heffron said: “It has been overwhelming to see the many hundreds of people coming back to Ireland solely to use their vote on the Marriage Referendum and Age of Presidential Candidates Referendum and as a way of showing our gratitude we want to offer a free bet to anyone who made the journey.”

She added: “With BoyleSports shops staying open until 9.30pm this evening, and polling stations open until 10pm, why not stop into your local shop after you vote with your boarding card and pick up a free bet – just like voting it’s that simple.”

Brendan prepares for Voice of Ireland finals

Local singer Brendan McCahey booked his place in The Voice of Ireland final on Sunday evening after impressing the judges yet again with a version of Sam Smith song ‘Stay With Me’

Brendan’s version of the song, in which he played piano, attracted the highest score of the series to date with 28 points out of a possible 30 after full marks from Kian Egan and Jamelia.

Hailing from Shercock in Cavan, Brendan is well known in local music circles having worked for a spell in Beat-It Music in Blackrock where he often sold guitars to his current Voice of Ireland mentor, Bressie.

Indeed, Brendan and Bressie were in the seaside village this morning campaigning for support ahead of the final.

He has previously impressed on the show with covers of The Strypes’ hit ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover’, Stevie Wonder’s ‘Once In My Life’ and the Roy Orbison classic ‘She’s A Mystery To Me’.

Indeed, Brendan remains the bookmakers’ favourite for The Voice of Ireland title at 2/5, having been made favourite three weeks ago.

Aoife Heffron, PR Executive at Boylesports, commented: “The vast majority of support has been for Brendan McCahey and he has been cut yet again, he is now on offer at 2/5 to win but we could see his price shorten even further ahead of the final on Sunday.”

She added “Kellie Lewis is Brendan’s main rival for the title and at 5/2 may just pip Brendan at the last hurdle and take the title home to Limerick.”

Brendan into semi-finals of The Voice of Ireland

Local singer Brendan McCahey booked his place in The Voice of Ireland semi-finals on Sunday evening after impressing the judges yet again with a version of Stevie Wonder’s hit track ‘For Once In My Life’.

Brendan’s version of the song attracted huge praise from all judges and he collected a huge 26 points out of a possible 30 when they were scoring him having being given an eight by Dolores O’Riordan and a nine apiece from Kian Egan and Jamelia.

Hailing from Shercock in Cavan, Brendan is well known in local music circles having worked for a spell in Beat-It Music in Blackrock where he often sold guitars to his current Voice of Ireland mentor, Bressie.

He has previously impressed on the show with covers of The Strypes’ hit ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover’ and the Roy Orbison classic ‘She’s A Mystery To Me’.

Indeed, Brendan remains the bookmakers’ favourite for The Voice of Ireland title at 4/6, having been made favourite two weeks ago.

Aoife Heffron, PR Executive at Boylesports, commented: “Brendan McCahey continues to be backed heavily to win it and we have had to shorten him even further into 4/6.”

She added: “Jamie Stanton has had a sudden burst of support within the last two weeks and has been cut right in to 11/2, which suggests Brendan may not have the title in the bag just yet.”

Brendan books place in Voice of Ireland quarter-finals

Brendan McCahey booked his place in The Voice of Ireland quarter-finals yesterday evening after impressing with a version of Roy Orbison’s hit ‘She’s A Mystery To Me’.

Brendan’s version of the song attracted huge praise from all judges and he collected a huge 25 points out of a possible 30 when they were scoring him.

Hailing from Shercock in Cavan, Brendan is well known in local music circles having worked for a spell in Beat-It Music in Blackrock where he often sold guitars to his current Voice of Ireland mentor, Bressie.

He gave a hugely impressive performance of The Strypes’ hit ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover’ on the first live show and showed a different side to his talents last night.

Indeed, Brendan remains the bookmakers’ favourite for The Voice of Ireland title at 7/4, having been made favourite in the middle of last week.

Aoife Heffron, PR Executive at Boylesports, commented “Brendan McCahey showed us a different side to him and it paid off as he remains the one to beat at 7/4.”

Brendan the new favourite for The Voice of Ireland

Brendan McCahey is the new favourite to win this year’s Voice of Ireland, according to bookmakers Boylesports.

Hailing from Shercock in Cavan, Brendan is well known in local music circles having worked for a spell in Beat-It Music in Blackrock where he often sold guitars to his current Voice of Ireland mentor, Bressie.

He gave a hugely impressive performance of The Strypes’ hit ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover’ on the first live show a fortnight ago, earning the highest score from judges on the night.

That was enough to see him through to the next stage of the competition this Sunday and now, having seen all acts perform live, the bookies clearly feel Brendan has what it takes to go all the way in the show.

Aoife Heffron, PR Executive at Boylesports, commented “Brendan McCahey is the new favourite to win at 15/8 having been supported in from 11/4 following Sunday night’s instalment of the Voice Of Ireland. Despite not singing on Sunday it seems the Irish public are enjoying Brendan’s unique sound and have been steadily backing him to win throughout the week.”

She added “Bressie’s team is looking like the strongest of the lot and he is now the coach to beat as he is priced at 6/4, with newcomer Dolores being pushed out to 21/10.”