After Walter McCabe got through last week, Zena Donnelly is the second finalist of Ireland’s Junior Eurovision 2016 selection.

The second semi final brought us another eight of Ireland’s most talented songwriters and performers. Just like last week, all singers were required to sing in Irish, the official language of Ireland, next to English.

We are now halfway through the semi finals as the selection contains four semi-finals and one grand final. And each week a new guest judge will join permanent jury members Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Pauline Avalon.

Last week’s jury members Jedward lifted the energy levels in the room, while this week’s guest judge Dustin the Turkey brought plenty of laughter Dustin was projected on the screen on the stage, with pictures of Malta and the host venue in the background. In the coming weeks, Niahm Kavanagh, Linda Martin and Sandie Jones will also join the panel as guest judge. And who knows? Maybe they’ll rival Dustin when it comes to feathers…

The jury panel chose Daniel Gallagher‘s rock-country song “Táim Ben” and Zena Donnelly‘s ballad “Bríce Ar Bhríce” as the two best songs. After a final sing-off, the judges elected to send Zena through over Daniel. Zena will now proceed to the final stage of the selection, set to take place on November 6.

The winner there will succeed Aimee Banks as the second representative of Ireland at Junior Eurovision. During Ireland’s first Junior Eurovision attempt last year, Aimee finished in 12th place with the song “Réalta Na Mara” (“Star of The Sea”).

Junior Eurovision Éire 2016 returns next weekend with the second semi final. What do you think of tonight’s decision? Was Zena the right choice? Let us know in the comments section!

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR IRELAND NEWS HERE

7 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Ron
Ron
7 years ago

Zena has a great voice and I think she may well get the ticket to Malta. She’s probably the best singer we’ve seen in Junior Eurovision Éire either last year or this.

Foxreyna
Foxreyna
7 years ago

Welcome back, hope she can at least win this year! Still sad Aimee did so poorly.

xESCx
xESCx
7 years ago

Did anyone actually hear her song on YouTube?

xESCx
xESCx
7 years ago

@oooops I doubt it, unless he’s in the final 2 heats

oooops
oooops
7 years ago

My favourites last year were David Kennedy and Aimee Banks. Is David Kennedy back this year too?

xESCx
xESCx
7 years ago

@Lanti yeah, she’s back for revenge and I think she’s gonna get the ticket to Malta this year!

Lanti
7 years ago

This is the same Zena who placed 2nd in the NF last year?