Ireland: Eurosong 2024 Preview

I think the 'hype' has somewhat quietened down around Ireland but there was a brief moment the fandom was enthusiastic about the standard on display here. The fact this is a step up from recent years and there's increased diversity on display can't distract from the reality that whatever is chosen could have a hard time in May. A step in the right direction from RTE deserves credit but perspective is also needed.

And with that tangent out of the way, let's launch straight into a second; One of my best value calls (in my pre escbetting days) came in the classic Danske Melodi Grand Prix of 2016, an edition that I'm sure everyone is familiar with. In case you aren't the brief summary is that the lame boyband came through and won despite being overlooked in the odds and betting world. In fact, that's not a world apart from last year's Eurosong either which is a much more familiar example of more promising entries being overlooked for a slightly more solid performance and safer entry, albeit a more fancied one anyway than either Lighthouse X or this. Ireland's reputation proceeds them and Louis Walsh's involvement and heavy (relative) backing also needs to be mentioned.

I could also pose the idea that we have Erica vs Isabell in the female pop, Alisha vs Bambie in the female 'left field' battle and the seemingly uncompetitive JyellowL who doesn't really factor in. The Late Late Show's past results, demographics and staging environment* already favour a boyband on paper, add in a potential vote blocking effect on the other runners and the case looks stronger.

*There's apparently a separate stage to the usual corner of the studio but what pans out and how the camerawork and any choreography is remains to be seen.

The counterargument is that Next In Line are not an established act like Wild Youth and they could be one to come undone live themselves. Odds on favourite Erica is clearly the hardest to get past and is in her own way a typically safe and palatable Irish entry with the most name recognition, although not to a significant degree. After Next In Line she seems to be benefiting from some industry backing and word is she's drawn/been given the pimp slot- a small benefit of its own but something oftentelling around producers intentions. You could even argue the exact reverse of my main point that Ireland may even themselves be conscious of failures with similar acts and this might act against Next In Line.

As stated in the introduction the lineup itself indicates some awareness around Ireland's issues; could this now transfer over to the scoring? Will the conservative juries push the boat out this time? My money says no - Ireland will for at least one more year take the predictable path which means either Erica or Next In Line, and I don't make Erica 5x more likely.

Taking both may be the safer way to go with the stingy Erica price offset by the generous one on Next In Line. Alisha seems the only other possibility but one I'm fine to risk. Bambie Thug is too incoherent and messy, whilst Isabella underwhelmes. For the purpose of this preview and long odds glory hunting, Next In Line are the call.

Prediction :

1st. Next In Line

2nd. Erica Cody

3rd. Alisha

4th. Isabella Kearney

5th. Bambie Thug

6th. JyellowL