The third heat of Junior Eurovision Éire – Ireland’s national selection for Junior Eurovision has taken place, where the final two semi-finalists were selected, and completed the line-up for the Semi-Final.
Junior Eurovision Éire Heat Four – a recap
The fourth heat of Junior Eurovision Éire was broadcast on Sunday (October 9th) on TG4, after the heats and semi-finals were filmed previously at RTÉ studios in Dublin. Presenter Louise Cantillon made a return as host for the show, reprising her role from 2021. However, for 2022, Darragh Ó Caoimh will co-present the competition alongside Cantillon.
The results for Heat Four were:
| Artist | Song Performed (in Irish) | Points | Result |
| Phoebe McIvor | “Hold Me While You Wait” (Lewis Capaldi) | 26 | Qualified (Jury Choice) |
| Sophie Lennon | “New York” (Paloma Faith) | 30 | Qualified (Automatic) |
| Holly-May Vaughan | “Stay With Me” (Sam Smith) | 23 | Eliminated |
| Lauren Wallace | “Always” (Gavin James) | 25 | Eliminated |
| Gillian Brennan | “Take Me To Church” (Hozier) | 24 | Eliminated |
| Gavin Giligan | “Bruises” (Lewis Capaldi) | 22 | Eliminated |
Similar to previous editions of the national selection, two permanent judges were joined by a special guest judge. For Heat Four, the judges were:
- Chris Greene – RTÉ 2FM presenter
- Niamh Ní Chróinín – presenter, manager of Raidió Rí-Rá
- Linda Martin – Ireland’s Eurovision representative in 1983 & 1992.
Semi-Final line-up complete
With the Heats of Junior Eurovision Eire 2022 concluding, the semi-finalists still in the running are as follows:
- Clare Keely
- Lara Gleeson
- Amber Dawes
- Marley Peig Leonard
- Niamh Noade
- Caillín Joe
- Sophie Lennon
- Phoebe Mclvor
The Semi-Final of Junior Eurovision Éire 2022 will air on October 16 at 20:30BST on TG4, with Ireland’s Eurovision 2022 representative Brooke Scullion who represented Ireland at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest with “That’s Rich” being the guest judge.
Ireland’s Junior Eurovision journey
Ireland first participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. Débuting alongside Australia, Ireland was represented by Aimee Banks singing ” Réalta na Mara”. At the close of voting, Ireland finished in 12th place – receiving 36 points. Ireland has since participated a further six times. Their best placement came in 2016, when Zena Donnelly finished in tenth place with her song “Bríce ar Bhríce”.
In 2021, Maiú Levi Lawlor represented Ireland in Paris with his song “Saor (Disappear)”. Ireland’s most recent participation, he finished 18th in a field of 19, earning 44 points. Of these, 5 came from professional juries, whilst the remaining 39 were from the online vote.
What do you make of the results from the fourth heat of Junior Eurovision Éire? Do you think Sophie or Phoebe will end up representing Ireland in Yerevan? Who was your favorite from the show? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we prepare for the Junior Eurovision 2022!
News Source: TG4
Photo Credit: TG4
